US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that US military forces have begun large-scale military operations against Iran to eliminate imminent threats, respond to Iran’s long-standing actions and protect US national security interests.
“The United States military is conducting extensive and sustained operations to prevent this very evil and radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We will destroy their missiles and take down their missile industry,” Trump said in a video message. “We will destroy their navy.”
Trump, who last year ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, said the operation would target missile production sites, naval assets and support networks for armed groups across the Middle East.
The president considered this campaign necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and, referring to the regime’s reluctance to enrich itself after last year’s airstrikes, abandoned it.
In June 2025, US B-2 bombers and submarine-launched missiles struck uranium enrichment facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan in an operation known as Midnight Hammer.
Washington has since pursued diplomatic avenues, including indirect talks in Oman and Switzerland earlier this year, but these efforts have failed to produce a deal.
The Pentagon deployed two strike groups and more than a dozen warships to the region, according to previous reports dating back to late February.
Trump addressed Iran’s security forces directly, offering immunity to those who surrender and warning of deadly consequences for resistance.
He also urged Iranian civilians to stay indoors and suggested that they could take control of their own government after the military operation.
“When we’re done, take over your government, it will be yours. It may be your only chance for generations,” he said.
Trump’s statement followed reports of an Israeli attack on Iran, where explosions were reported in Tehran and emergency alerts were sounded. The news caused volatility in the market, sending bitcoin down nearly 4% from around $65,500 to $63,000.
