US President Donald Trump on Friday confirmed that the United States has launched a military campaign against Iran, describing the operation as “massive and ongoing” and aimed at neutralising what he called imminent threats from the Iranian regime.
In an eight minute video message posted on social media, Trump framed the action as a defensive move to protect American citizens, troops and allies.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” the president said in the video.
He accused Tehran of directly endangering American forces and partners across the globe.
“Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world,” he said in the eight-minute long message.
Escalating his rhetoric against the Iranian leadership, Trump invoked decades of hostility between Washington and Tehran.
“For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries,” he said.
Describing the scale of the operation, the president made it clear that the military action was not limited to a single strike but part of a broader strategy to dismantle Iran’s military capabilities.
President Donald Trump described the military campaign in Iran as “massive and ongoing,” intended to prevent the country from putting US lives at risk.
“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,” he said in a video message. “We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.”
Trump also alleged that Iran had resumed efforts to rebuild its nuclear programme following what he referred to as a US bombing run on Iranian nuclear facilities in June. He said Washington had repeatedly warned Tehran against restarting its nuclear activities and had attempted to reach a diplomatic settlement.
“We warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons and sought repeatedly to make a deal, we tried - they wanted to do it, then they didn't want to do it ... they just wanted to practice evil. They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear operations and we can't take it anymore,” he said.
Reiterating his long-standing position, Trump described Iran as a global sponsor of terrorism and accused its leadership of violently suppressing domestic dissent.
“Iran is the world's No.1 sponsor of terror and recently killed tens and thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protest. It's always been the policy of the US, particularly my admin, that this terorrist regime cannot have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon.”
In a direct message to Iran’s armed forces, Trump offered what he described as a stark choice between cooperation and destruction. He said Iranian military personnel would be granted “immunity” if they stood down and distanced themselves from the regime’s actions, warning of “certain death” if they continued to support what he called a terrorist leadership.
He also addressed the Iranian public, seeking to frame the military action as a turning point. “Hour of your freedom is at hand,” Trump said, urging citizens to see the moment as an opportunity for change.
The announcement marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. While the administration has framed the campaign as a preemptive move to safeguard American interests, the development is likely to trigger strong reactions from Iran and its allies, as well as concern among global powers over the potential for further instability in West Asia.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
