U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Iranian security forces to lay down their weapons and accept immunity or face “certain death,” after a combined Israeli–U.S. military operation struck multiple targets inside Iran, escalating the conflict in the Middle East.
In a Truth Social video message, Trump confirmed the launch of strikes he said targeted Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. He addressed members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the armed forces and police, offering full immunity to those who surrender and threatening annihilation for those who resist.
Trump told Iranian citizens to shelter in place, warning that “bombs will be dropping everywhere,” and framed the strikes as a rare opportunity for the Iranian people to seize control of their government once operations conclude. He said previous administrations had not acted, but that his administration was providing the assistance Iranians had sought.
A central justification offered by Trump was preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He reiterated his administration’s long-standing position that Iran must never acquire a nuclear capability, labeled Iran the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, and criticized the regime for violently suppressing domestic protests. He accused Iran of refusing repeated chances to abandon a nuclear program, instead rebuilding it and developing long-range missiles he said could threaten U.S. forces, allies in Europe and the American homeland.
Trump also vowed to destroy the Iranian navy and to dismantle regional proxy networks he described as destabilizing forces.
The strikes, reported as a joint operation codenamed Operation Roaring Lion, targeted military sites, missile production facilities and locations near the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The name of the operation was reported to have been chosen by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to The Times of Israel.
Iranian state and local sources reported strikes on several ministries in southern Tehran and described loud explosions in the capital. Iranian officials vowed a “crushing response” to what they termed aggression. The situation has raised widespread concern about a broader regional escalation, with emergency measures enacted and public anxiety intensifying.
Following the joint pre-emptive strikes, the Israel Defense Forces said missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory. Israel reported that defensive systems were activated to intercept incoming threats and that the Home Front Command issued mobile alerts advising citizens in affected areas to seek shelter.
Iranian media reported disruptions to mobile phone service in parts of eastern and western Tehran and reduced internet connectivity in some areas. The strikes come amid weeks of tense nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing between the two countries.
The full scope and consequences of the operation are still being assessed as governments and militaries monitor developments. This account is drawn from syndicated reporting and public statements received by news outlets.
