WASHINGTON: The United States and Israel have launched a large-scale military offensive against Iran, marking a sharp escalation in regional hostilities.
The Israeli defence minister confirmed the start of extensive combat operations, while Iran responded with ballistic missile strikes targeting major Israeli cities.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had initiated a first wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel in retaliation. According to Iranian media reports, the strikes were aimed at key strategic targets.
Israel’s military said air raid sirens were activated across multiple regions to prepare civilians for potential incoming missile attacks.
In a video statement, US President Donald Trump declared that an “extensive military operation” had begun in Iran, pledging to eliminate what he described as threats posed by the Iranian regime.
Israeli Channel 12, citing a security source, reported that the ongoing strikes inside Iran were part of a coordinated joint operation between the United States and Israel.
[10:00 PM] Trump: US Has Neutralised Major Iranian Naval and Air Targets
Speaking from the Oval Office ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Trump said US forces had successfully targeted numerous Iranian naval and air assets.
“Just about everything has been knocked out,” Trump told reporters, describing the operation as highly effective.
He said he authorised the strikes because he believed Iran was preparing to attack the United States as negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme stalled. However, he did not provide evidence to substantiate that claim.
Iran had reportedly been expecting another round of discussions with US representatives following talks held in Geneva last Thursday.
Despite ongoing Iranian missile launches, Trump predicted that Tehran’s strike capability would diminish under sustained military pressure.
“They’ve shot a lot of them, and we’re knocking out a lot,” he said.
