U.S. and Israel launch strikes, Trump dubs attack `Operation Epic Fury’

The U.S. and Israel on Saturday began what President Donald Trump described as “major combat operations” in Iran, striking military and nuclear targets. Iran retaliated with strikes across the Middle East.

Trump said his objective for the attack “is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said in an eight-minute clip posted to his Truth Social account on Saturday. He dubbed the attack “Operation Epic Fury.” The move could cause a broader conflict in the region, as Iran has vowed a “crushing” response, Reuters reported.

The U.S. had assembled a massive fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region ahead of the attack in an effort to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

Trump vowed to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.” He also said U.S. forces would “annihilate their navy … and ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.” He called on Iranians to “take over” their government.

Iran reportedly responded with missile attacks on U.S. military installations across the Middle East. Iran state media said: “The Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain have been targeted by Iranian missile strikes.”

Explosions were also heard in key cities around the Middle East, including Jerusalem as Iran launched counterattacks.

Trump took the action without seeking congressional approval to declare war.

Trump monitored the attack overnight with members of his national security team from his residence at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X.

“The President spoke with [Israeli] Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu by phone. Prior to the attacks, Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio called all members of the gang of eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members,” Leavitt wrote.

“The President and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day,” she said.