• Trump announces the initiation of "major combat operations" in Iran to protect American interests.
• The operations aim to eliminate threats from Iran's missile and nuclear programs.
• Israel has also launched preemptive strikes against Iranian facilities amid escalating tensions.
• Iran warns of a significant response to the US military actions.
• Hundreds of Iranian citizens reportedly protesting against their own regime have been casualties.

In a significant escalation of military engagement, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States has commenced "major combat operations" in Iran, asserting that the primary objective is to "defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime." He characterized Iran as a "vicious group of very hard, terrible people," indicating that their activities pose direct threats to U.S. forces and allies worldwide, according to Channel News Asia and CBS News.

Trump's declaration followed Israel's preemptive strikes against Iranian military targets, specifically around Tehran and locations associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The Iranian regime has warned of a decisive response, and regional tensions have sharply escalated, with missile debris falling in Israel without reported injuries. Trump emphasized that the U.S. military would raze Iran’s missile industry “to the ground” and ensure that Tehran can never acquire nuclear weapons, citing several historical grievances against Iran for its past actions, according to AA and India Times.

In his full statement shared on social media, Trump recalled past acts of aggression by Iran, including the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983, emphasizing that Tehran's actions have led to significant casualties among U.S. forces in the Middle East. He labeled Iran as the "world's number one state sponsor of terror" and reiterated that the U.S. will not permit them to develop nuclear capabilities, referencing previous military actions taken against Iran's nuclear sites under his administration, according to AA, India Times, and CBS News.

Addressing the Iranian people, Trump urged them to take control of their government while warning about the dangers that lie ahead, as operations are underway. He called this a "critical opportunity" for the citizens of Iran to act amid ongoing military operations. Trump emphasized the support of the U.S. military, assuring Americans that the nation's forces would prevail in their mission, stating, "We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail," according to Channel News Asia and India Times.