The Middle East was plunged into its most severe crisis in decades after US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States had commenced "major combat operations in Iran," following a series of coordinated strikes carried out on Saturday. The announcement came alongside Israeli military action that Tel Aviv described as a "preemptive strike," with multiple explosions reported across Tehran — including near the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a rare and striking move, President Trump bypassed conventional diplomatic language to speak directly to Iranian citizens. In what observers are calling one of the most extraordinary wartime addresses by an American president, Trump declared:
"Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand… When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations."
The statement appeared to frame the military operation not merely as a security action, but as a catalyst for regime change — a goal Trump suggested no previous American president had been willing to pursue with such directness or force.
Trump also addressed Iranian armed forces and police personnel, urging them to lay down their weapons. He pledged complete immunity to those who comply, while issuing a stark warning of "certain death" for those who choose to resist.
Israel described its role in Saturday's attacks as a preemptive strike, citing imminent threats to its national security. The Israeli military wasted no time in activating air raid sirens across major population centres, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, after Iran announced it had launched missiles in retaliation. Citizens were advised to remain alert and prepare for potential incoming threats.
Tehran, for its part, vowed a "crushing response," raising the specter of a broader regional conflagration that could draw in additional actors and destabilize an already volatile part of the world. Iranian state media and officials framed the US and Israeli actions as acts of war and aggression that would not go unanswered.
The international community reacted swiftly. India, home to a significant diaspora population in Iran, issued an urgent advisory through its embassy in Tehran. "All Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible," the embassy posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Similar advisories were expected from other nations with citizens in the country.
The coming hours and days will be critical. The combination of American military power, Israeli strikes, and Iran's promise of retaliation has set the stage for a conflict with potentially far-reaching consequences — for the Persian Gulf, global energy markets, and international security more broadly.
Whether Trump's appeal to ordinary Iranians gains any traction, and whether Iran's military response remains contained or spirals into something larger, will define the trajectory of this crisis. World leaders are watching closely, and diplomatic channels are reportedly operating at emergency intensity behind the scenes.
For now, the region holds its breath.
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