Washington: The United States and Israel have initiated a significant military operation against Iran, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that the offensive resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Trump released an eight-minute video on social media describing the operation as "massive and ongoing," aimed at dismantling what he termed as a "very wicked radical dictatorship" in Iran. In a follow-up post, Trump stated that Khamenei is dead, hailing it as a pivotal opportunity for the Iranian populace to reclaim their nation, although Iranian officials have refuted reports of Khamenei's death.
The military operation, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," commenced at 1:15 a.m. Washington time, targeting vital Iranian military assets such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control centers, air defense systems, and missile and drone launch sites, as detailed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). In retaliation, Iran launched missiles targeting U.S. military facilities in the region, but CENTCOM reported no U.S. casualties and described the damage as "minimal."
This offensive follows Operation Midnight Hammer, conducted eight months earlier, and raises concerns about escalating regional tensions, particularly as the U.S. shifts its strategic focus towards countering threats from China. President Trump emphasized on Truth Social that the operation's intensive bombing would persist "throughout the week or as long as necessary" to achieve peace in the Middle East and globally.
In his video message, Trump characterized the Iranian regime as a "vicious group" and justified the military action as a defense against imminent threats. The operation comes amid stalled nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with the U.S. recently intensifying its military presence in the Middle East.
Trump reiterated the U.S. stance against Iran's nuclear ambitions, asserting that Iran's persistent development of long-range missiles poses a threat to U.S. allies in Europe and potentially the American mainland. He declared the U.S. military's intent to "obliterate" Iran's missile capabilities and urged members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard to surrender, promising fair treatment and immunity.
Trump addressed the Iranian people, encouraging them to seize this opportunity to take control of their government and promising U.S. support. He also noted monitoring the situation from Mar-a-Lago with his national security team and communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed pre-attack briefings to congressional leaders and ongoing monitoring by the national security team. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and other officials expressed support for the operation, while some Democrats, including Rep. Jim Himes, criticized the decision, warning of potential escalation without a clear strategic objective.