US, Israel Strike Iran as Trump Urges Regime Collapse; Tehran Fires Back Across Gulf

President Donald Trump said the US had begun “major combat operations” against Iran, declaring the objective was to eliminate what he called imminent threats from Tehran’s leadership and to give Iranians what he described as a rare chance to reclaim their country through a people-led revolt.

“A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran,” Trump said in a televised address. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” He accused Iran’s leadership of decades of sponsoring attacks on US forces and allies and said Washington would no longer tolerate what he termed “mass terror” across the Middle East.

Trump said the campaign would target Iran’s missile systems, naval capabilities and military-industrial infrastructure. “We are going to destroy their missiles and raise their missile industry to the ground,” he said. “We are going to annihilate their navy.” He added that the United States would ensure Iran “does not obtain a nuclear weapon,” repeating that Tehran would “never have a nuclear weapon.”

The president referenced previous US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan and said Iran had attempted to rebuild elements of its programme despite warnings from Washington. He said Tehran had rejected repeated opportunities to renounce nuclear ambitions and had continued to develop long-range missile capabilities that could threaten US forces overseas and allies in Europe.

In unusually direct language, Trump addressed members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces and police, telling them to “lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death.” He also appealed directly to Iranian citizens. “To the great proud people of Iran, the hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said, urging them to remain sheltered during the bombardment and to take control of their government once operations conclude. “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.”

The remarks signalled that Washington’s aims extend beyond degrading military capabilities to pressuring the clerical establishment itself. Trump said no previous president had been willing to take such steps and asserted that the United States was “backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force.”

The US and Israel launched coordinated strikes early Saturday, with explosions reported in Tehran and other cities. Israeli officials described the action as pre-emptive and necessary to counter missile and nuclear threats, various news agencies, including Reuters, reported.

Iranian authorities vowed retaliation and reported missile launches in response, raising the prospect of further escalation.

Iran launched ballistic missiles and armed drones toward US military installations and allied targets across the Gulf. Air defence systems were activated in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, with residents reporting multiple explosions and interception attempts. In Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, a missile was reported to have landed near a naval logistics facility, underscoring the shift from proxy confrontation to direct state-to-state engagement. Authorities in parts of the Gulf urged citizens to remain indoors as sirens sounded across several capitals, reports said.

Trump acknowledged that US casualties were possible, saying he did not make the decision lightly and that “that often happens in war,” but characterised the mission as necessary to secure future generations against a nuclear-armed Iran. “This is the moment for action,” he said. “Do not let it pass.”

India said it was “deeply concerned at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region,” urging all sides to exercise restraint and avoid escalation. In a statement, the government called for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions, stressed that sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, and said Indian missions in the region were in touch with nationals and had issued advisories asking them to remain vigilant and follow local security guidance.