President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Israel had launched joint strikes against Iran in an operation described by the Pentagon as Operation Epic Fury. In a video message, Trump urged the Iranian people to remain sheltered during the bombing and then rise up to take control of their government once major combat operations conclude, calling it a historic opportunity for change.

Trump said the mission aims to defend the American people by eliminating what he described as imminent threats from Iran’s leadership. He acknowledged the possibility of American casualties but characterized the action as a noble effort to prevent a radical dictatorship from threatening national security and destabilizing the Middle East.

The president accused Iran of rebuilding its nuclear program and reiterated that the country would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He pledged to destroy Iran’s missile infrastructure and navy, and warned members of Iran’s military and security forces to surrender or face deadly consequences. The strikes follow stalled nuclear negotiations and repeated warnings from Trump that severe consequences would follow if talks failed.