Washington: The United States on Saturday conducted major combat operations in Iran to safeguard Americans from "imminent threats" from Tehran, President Donald Trump said, following Washington's massive military buildup in the Middle East and a struggle to reach a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump made the announcement in a video clip posted on Truth Social, stating the U.S. military is conducting a "massive and ongoing" operation to prevent the "very wicked radical dictatorship" in Iran from threatening American and its core national security interests. "A short time ago, the U.S. military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime -- a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," Trump said.

Trump emphasized that Iran's activities pose direct risks to the U.S., its troops, bases overseas, and global allies. He reiterated that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, while stressing that the U.S. military will totally "obliterate" Iran's missiles and missile industry, which the U.S. sees as a major threat to the U.S., its forces in the region, and its allies, including Israel.

The president further declared that the U.S. plans to dismantle Iran's naval capabilities and ensure that the regime's proxies can no longer destabilize the region or attack U.S. forces. Trump warned that the Iranian regime will soon learn that no one should challenge "the strength and might" of the U.S. armed forces, citing his efforts to build and rebuild the military during his first administration.

Trump outlined a history of Iran's longstanding campaign against the U.S., beginning with the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the holding of American hostages. He called on members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard to surrender, promising fair treatment with total immunity or face certain death.

In his message to the Iranian people, Trump urged them to seize the opportunity to "take over your government" once the military operation concludes. He expressed support for Iranian protestors and highlighted America's backing with "overwhelming strength and devastating force," urging the people of Iran to act and shape their future.