US President Donald Trump has declared that American and Israeli forces have launched what he called a “massive and ongoing operation” against Iran.
The announcement, delivered in an eight-minute video on Truth Social, marks one of the most dramatic shifts in US foreign policy in recent years. However, it comes after weeks of mounting tension over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security.
In the video, Trump described the campaign as decisive and urgent. The US-Israel operation against Iran was presented as a necessary move to protect American interests.
“We are undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests,” he said.
According to the president, diplomatic efforts had failed. He insisted that Washington had tried repeatedly to secure a new nuclear agreement. However, he claimed that Iranian leaders rejected those offers.
Trump outlined broad military objectives. “We will destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry. We will annihilate their Navy and ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region,” he declared.
He added, “This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces.”
The buildup to the operation had been visible. More than a dozen US naval vessels and aircraft were repositioned to the Middle East.
Meanwhile, indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran had continued. Talks were held in Oman and Switzerland earlier in February. Iranian officials had described the discussions as generally positive.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi told CBS News that a deal was “within our reach” and they just “need a little bit more time.” However, those diplomatic efforts now appear overshadowed by military action.
Trump acknowledged the dangers of war. “The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war,” he said.
