On Saturday morning, the US and Israel launched a large-scale joint military operation against Iran. Explosions were heard in Tehran and several other cities in the Islamic Republic, as rockets were fired at Israel and millions of Israelis were forced to seek shelter in bunkers.

US President Donald Trump announced the operation in a video message on Truth Social, where he described the attack as “major combat operations in Iran”—a massive and ongoing campaign to protect America from the “evil, radical dictatorship regime” in Tehran.

Trump was clear about the objective: the regime must fall. He addressed the Iranian people directly, urging them to seize the moment:

To the great, proud Iranian people I say tonight that the hour of freedom is near. Stay indoors. It is dangerous outside. Bombs will fall everywhere. When we are done—take over your government. It will be yours. This is likely your only chance in generations.

Photo: Truth Social

Planned for Months

The president also promised total destruction of Iran’s military capabilities: “We will destroy their missiles and level their missile industry to the ground. It will be completely wiped out. We will eradicate their navy.” He stressed that the US will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and vowed to crush the country’s terrorist proxies in the region.

Trump even offered amnesty to Iranian soldiers and the Revolutionary Guard: “To members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and the police—lay down your arms now and be granted full immunity, otherwise you face certain death.”

The operation, which Israel has named “Lion’s Roar,” is described as a preemptive strike to eliminate existential threats to Israel. Defense Minister Israel Katz explained that the country has entered an immediate state of emergency and that the operation has been planned for months together with the US.

“You Are Not Alone”

According to Israeli sources, the US and Israel are “fully on the same page,” and the attack is expected to last several days—the opening phase is projected to take four days. The targets include military installations, government buildings, intelligence services, missile production facilities, and symbolic power centers. Independent reports mention attacks near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office, and opposition media claim that homes and offices of key regime figures have been hit.

Iran responded quickly by firing ballistic missiles at Israel, triggering air raid sirens and shelter orders throughout the country. Iranian state media confirmed explosions in the capital and other provinces. An Iranian spokesperson promised that Tehran’s response would be “crushing.”

The US embassy in Qatar issued shelter orders for personnel and Americans in the region, while Israeli airspace has been closed to civilian air traffic.

Mossad published a message in Persian via Telegram, urging Iranians to share pictures and videos of their resistance against the regime: “You are not alone! Together we will restore Iran to its days of glory.”

While the world holds its breath, many are waiting to see how Iran will escalate and whether this will be the beginning of the end for the ayatollah regime.

On X, videos are now circulating of Iranians celebrating as the ayatollah’s home in Tehran is struck: