In a significant escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, the United States and Israel have carried out a series of coordinated airstrikes targeting multiple locations within Iran, including the capital city of Tehran. US President Donald Trump described these operations as “major combat actions,” emphasizing the scale and intensity of the campaign. This joint military effort aims to dismantle Iran’s military infrastructure, nuclear capabilities, and missile programs, which have long been points of contention in international diplomacy.
The strikes come against a backdrop of stalled negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile development. Despite months of diplomatic efforts, talks have failed to yield a breakthrough, prompting Washington and Tel Aviv to adopt a more aggressive posture. This latest offensive marks a continuation of a conflict that reignited eight months ago, following a 12-day confrontation between US-Israeli forces and Iranian-backed entities. In recent weeks, President Trump has issued repeated warnings of impending military action should diplomatic channels remain unproductive.
Following the initial strikes, Tehran responded swiftly by launching missile attacks targeting northern Israel as well as US military installations scattered across the Gulf region. While casualty reports remain limited and somewhat unclear, both sides appear to have sustained losses amid the ongoing exchanges. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation.
The attacks began early in the morning, with Iran’s Fars news agency reporting a series of powerful explosions around 9:27 am local time in Tehran. Social media footage showed thick plumes of smoke rising from several parts of the city, including University Street, the Jomhouri district, and areas close to the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Additional explosions were reported in northern Tehran’s Seyyed Khandan neighborhood and extended to other major urban centers such as Kermanshah, Qom, Tabriz, Isfahan, Ilam, Karaj, and the Lorestan province.
Confirmation of the strikes as a joint US-Israel operation came from a senior US official, who noted that Washington had recently deployed its largest military presence in the region since the Iraq War. This buildup included a significant number of fighter jets and naval vessels, underscoring the seriousness of the campaign. The Pentagon later officially named the mission “Operation Epic Fury,” marking the first public acknowledgment of the coordinated attacks.
Targets reportedly encompassed Iran’s missile manufacturing plants, critical military bases, and command centers. Notably, one of the strikes in Tehran occurred close to the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, highlighting the high-profile nature of the operation. The intent was to cripple Iran’s ability to project power both regionally and beyond.
President Trump outlined the objectives of the campaign as neutralizing imminent threats posed by Iran, destroying its missile arsenals, weakening its naval forces, and curbing the influence of Iran-backed militias throughout the Middle East. He issued a stark ultimatum to Iranian military personnel, offering amnesty to those who surrender while warning that resistance would lead to “certain death.” Trump acknowledged that US forces might incur casualties during what he described as a “multiday operation,” signaling the complexity and danger of the mission.
Analysts interpret this campaign as an effort not only to degrade Iran’s military capabilities but also to create conditions conducive to regime change in Tehran. President Trump’s message to the Iranian people was clear: “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.” This statement underscores the political as well as military dimensions of the strikes.
In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks targeting northern Israel, triggering air-raid sirens and explosions in multiple locations. Iranian forces also struck US-linked military bases across the Gulf, including Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar, which hosts US Central Command forward elements, air forces, and special operations units. Other targets included Al-Salem Airbase in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Airbase in the UAE, the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and US military installations in Jordan.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Commission, issued a stern warning on social media, describing the Iranian response as “crushing” and cautioning that the path now taken by the US and Israel was beyond their control. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei remain unclear, as he has not appeared publicly in recent days. Security measures intensified around his compound in downtown Tehran amid the explosions. Iranian officials confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian was unharmed.
On the Israeli front, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the military operation, codenamed “Lion’s Roar,” would continue for as long as necessary. He defended the strikes as preemptive actions designed to counter threats posed by Iran’s missile program and its network of proxy forces operating throughout the region.
The repercussions of these strikes have reverberated across the Gulf, a region hosting critical US military facilities and some of the world’s wealthiest oil-producing monarchies. Explosions and air-raid sirens were reported in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Manama. In Abu Dhabi, a civilian lost their life due to falling debris, the UAE Ministry of Defence, which also confirmed that its air defense systems successfully intercepted several incoming Iranian missiles.
Qatar experienced multiple blasts near the Al Udeid base, the largest US military installation in the region, and confirmed the successful interception of missiles. Saudi Arabia reiterated its sovereign right to defend its territory and warned it would take “all necessary measures” to protect its citizens and residents.
International reactions have been swift and varied. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi condemned the escalation, emphasizing that Muscat’s mediation efforts had been undermined and urging Washington to avoid further escalation. Qatar labeled the Iranian missile attacks as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty but reserved the right to respond in accordance with international law. The UAE condemned the missile strikes, which reportedly claimed the life of a Pakistani national, warning of “grave consequences” for repeated violations.
European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas described the situation as “perilous,” calling for the protection of civilians and strict adherence to international law. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern over the conflict’s potential to destabilize international peace and security, urging immediate de-escalation. Meanwhile, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev criticized the US, accusing Washington of using negotiations with Iran as a “cover operation.” The United Kingdom reaffirmed its stance that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons and expressed readiness to defend its interests. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney voiced support for US efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms and threatening global peace.
This latest flare-up is rooted in longstanding tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, regional ambitions, and ballistic missile development. Tehran has consistently denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons, while Israel, the only Middle Eastern country known to possess nuclear arms, along with the US, has repeatedly threatened military action should Iran advance its capabilities. The current surge in violence follows recent progress in Geneva negotiations, brokered by Oman, where Iran reportedly agreed to halt uranium stockpiling under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision. Experts warn that the combination of military strikes and political messaging risks igniting a broader regional conflict with far-reaching consequences for Middle East stability.
