Trump Delivers Direct Message To Iranians After ‘Major Combat Operation’ Targets Ayatollah
President Donald Trump urged “the great, proud people of Iran” to overthrow their ruling regime after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes early Saturday morning in what he described as a “major combat operation.”
In an eight-minute address to the nation, Trump announced the operation, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” and framed it as both a national security action and an opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their country from authoritarian rule.
“To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,” Trump said. “Stay sheltered, don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside; bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”
Trump argued that his decision marked a departure from past administrations.
“For many years, you have asked for America’s help but never got it,” he said. “No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who has given you what you want, so let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force.”
He also directed a message to members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces, and police, offering what he called “complete immunity” if they laid down their weapons.
“Or, in the alternative, face certain death,” he added.
Trump said the strikes were aimed at eliminating “imminent threats from the Iranian regime” and degrading missile and military infrastructure tied to Tehran’s regional aggression and nuclear ambitions. The joint U.S.-Israeli operation reportedly targeted multiple sites across Iran, including facilities in Tehran associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Satellite imagery published after the strike showed heavy damage to structures identified as part of Khamenei’s primary compound, though it remains unclear whether he was present at the time.
The address came after weeks of U.S. military buildup in the region, including carrier groups and advanced air assets positioned around Iran. Trump acknowledged the possibility of retaliation against American forces stationed throughout the Middle East.
“My administration has taken every possible step to minimize 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 said. “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war, but we’re doing this not for now. We’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.”
Iran responded by launching missiles toward Israel and targeting a U.S. military installation in Bahrain. Video obtained by Fox News showed a missile strike hitting an empty warehouse at a U.S. naval base in Bahrain, according to a U.S. official. No American personnel were reported injured in the retaliatory attack.