On Saturday morning, the US and Israeli forces began coordinated military strikes on Iran. In a video posted on Truth Social, President Trump described the military campaign as “massive and ongoing,” warning American lives may be lost as a result.
Trump advocated for regime change calling on Iranians to “take over your government.” He accused Tehran of working to rebuild its nuclear program after massive US strikes last summer he claimed obliterated the facilities.
President Trump said the objective was to protect American people and allies and eliminate imminent Iranian threats. He called Iran number one state sponsor of terror.” He declared his intention to cripple Israeli missile capability, Iranian Navy, and degrade Iranian proxies. He called upon IRGC personnel to lay down arms.
Israel launched “pre-emptive military strikes” against Iranian ballistic missiles and missile launcher sites. Explosions were heard and smoke was seen rising in Iranian cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Tabriz, Lorestan, and Kermanshah. Israel also launched attacks against Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon.
Operation “EPIC FURY” was preceded by a massive US military build-up in the region – the largest since the second Iraq war .
In June 2025, Israel and the Iran had a 12-day war and the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian Retaliation targets Israel and US bases across the region
Iranian response has been quick and wide. Wide-ranging Iranian retaliation against US assets in multiple countries the region has already begun.
Iran has reportedly fired dozens of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israeli. Sirens have been heard in North, Central as well South Israel. Several loud explosions – possibly of intercepted missiles – were heard. Israel has a strong air defence; now boosted with American additional air defence assets. Israel Homefront Command had earlier warned its citizens to be prepared for strikes from Iran.
Qatar has issued a security alert over possibility of inbound missiles. In Qatar, all incoming Iranian missile have been shot down. In Doha, sirens have been activated urging citizens to shelter in place and stay away from military installations. Qatar hosts US Central Command.
There is report of one explosion in Bahrain – home to US Vth Fleet. Sirens have been heard in Bahrain urging citizens to shelter in place.
Reuters is reporting a explosion in UAE capital Abu Dhabi. Al Jazeera is reporting an explosion from Riyadh. There is unconfirmed report of an explosion in South Iraq.
The Iranian strategy seems to be draw in the US allies in the region so that they put pressure on Washington for an early end to the war.
Aviation
Israel, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, and UAE have closed their airspaces. Expect more countries in the region to close their airspaces. Expect flight rerouting, cancellations, delays, and cascading effects as carriers rush to cancel or reroute flights around closed and risky airspaces.
The News is Sketchy
Internet is shut across much of Iran. International news organizations are often refused visas to Iran; some organizations like Al Jazeera cannot operate from Israel. This limits the ability to gather information about what’s going on within the countries at war.
Ref: Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, and Reuters.