President Donald Trump on Saturday declared that US military forces had initiated large-scale combat operations against Iran to eliminate imminent threats, respond to long-standing Iranian actions, and protect American national security interests.
“The United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We are going to destroy their missiles and raise their missile industry to the ground,” Trump said in a video address. “We are going to annihilate their navy.”
Trump, who ordered strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities last year, said the operation targets missile production sites, naval assets, and networks supporting armed groups across the Middle East.
The president framed the campaign as necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons, citing the regime’s refusal to abandon enrichment efforts following last year’s airstrikes.
In June 2025, American B-2 bombers and submarine-launched missiles struck uranium enrichment facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in an operation called Midnight Hammer.
Washington then pursued diplomatic channels, including indirect discussions in Oman and Switzerland earlier this year, but those efforts failed to produce an agreement.
The Pentagon positioned two carrier strike groups and more than a dozen warships in the region ahead of the operation, according to earlier deployments tracked through late February.
Trump addressed Iranian security forces directly, offering immunity to those who surrender and warning of fatal consequences for resistance.
He also urged Iranian civilians to remain indoors and suggested they could assume control of their government once military action concludes.
“When we are finished, take over your government, it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said.
Trump’s remarks followed reports that Israel conducted a strike on Iran, where explosions were reported in Tehran, and emergency alerts were triggered. The news sparked market volatility, pushing Bitcoin down about 4% from roughly $65,500 to $63,000.