A massive daylight military offensive by Israel and the United States turned the skyline of Tehran into a wall of smoke on Saturday, targeting the heart of the Iranian regime.
Explosions were reported near the headquarters of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been missing from public view for several days. The strikes, which have prompted the closure of Iraqi and Israeli airspace, represent the most significant direct military engagement against the Islamic Republic in decades.
In a sweeping video address released early Saturday, President Donald J. Trump officially confirmed the start of “major combat operations” in Iran.
Characterizing the mission as a “noble” necessity to protect the American homeland, Trump laid out a long list of grievances against the Iranian leadership, citing the 1979 embassy hostage crisis, the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, and more recent attacks on U.S. troops by Iranian-funded proxies.
“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” Trump declared, adding that the U.S. Navy intends to “annihilate” Iran’s maritime capabilities. The President specifically pointed to a secret mission last June, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which he claimed had previously “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program at Fordo. He alleged that despite that warning, the regime attempted to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure and develop long-range missiles capable of reaching Europe and the United States.
The President’s message included a direct ultimatum to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian police forces: “Lay down your arms and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death.”
As bombs fell on the capital, Trump also appealed to the Iranian citizenry, urging them to stay indoors for their safety while simultaneously calling for a popular uprising. “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said, telling the Iranian people that once the military operations are finished, the government will be “yours to take.” He framed the moment as a historic opportunity that previous American administrations were “never willing” to provide.
The scale of the operation has already sent shockwaves through the region. In Tehran, residents reported heavy blasts near Vanak and Mehrabad Airport that shook buildings and shattered windows. In Israel, the military and medical infrastructure shifted to a war footing, with hospitals moving essential operations into underground parking lots to shield patients from expected retaliatory fire.+1
While the Trump administration maintains the strikes are a preemptive measure to stop a “wicked radical dictatorship” from obtaining nuclear weapons, the move has already faced internal backlash. Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) condemned the strikes as “acts of war unauthorized by Congress,” highlighting a deepening divide in Washington over the legality of the sudden escalation.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee has advised all Americans in the region to remain near shelters and follow emergency alerts as the situation continues to evolve rapidly.
ORIGINAL REPORT: A series of powerful explosions rocked the heart of Tehran on Saturday morning as Israel and the United States launched a coordinated daylight military campaign against Iran.
Smoke plumes were seen rising near the heavily guarded offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose whereabouts remain a mystery after days of absence from the public eye.
The 86-year-old leader has not been seen since regional tensions reached a breaking point, and it is currently unclear if he was at the site during the strike.
The operation marks a significant escalation, with a U.S. official confirming that American forces are actively participating alongside Israel.
This military pressure follows months of friction over Iran’s nuclear program and its refusal to halt uranium enrichment or discuss its missile capabilities.
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In a series of rapid-fire posts on Truth Social, President Donald Trump characterized the strikes as a “noble mission” aimed at eliminating “imminent threats” to American soil.
He claimed that the Iranian regime has continued to advance its nuclear technology with the intent of reaching the United States. Addressing the Iranian public directly, the President urged citizens to seize the moment, stating, “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” and calling on them to take control of their own government.
The fallout from the strikes was immediate across the Middle East. Iraq moved quickly to shut down its entire airspace, clearing all civilian traffic to avoid the crossfire. In Israel, the Health Ministry ordered hospitals to trigger emergency protocols, moving critical wards into underground bunkers in anticipation of potential retaliatory strikes.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee warned all American citizens in the region to stay within reach of bomb shelters and treat every siren with the utmost urgency.
The strikes occurred just days before the House and Senate were scheduled to vote on war powers resolutions, a move that was intended to limit the administration’s ability to engage in unilateral military action.
Residents in Tehran described a scene of chaos as the first blasts hit near Mehrabad Airport and the Vanak district.
One local reported that the sheer force of the explosions shattered windows and sent a sense of panic through the capital. As the sun rises over a city now under siege, the world is watching to see if this operation will lead to the “destiny” Trump promised the Iranian people or a much wider, more devastating regional conflict.
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