Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The United States and Israel launched a sweeping military assault on Iran on Saturday, dramatically escalating tensions across the Middle East and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
US President Donald Trump announced the start of what he described as “major combat operations in Iran,” saying the joint campaign was intended to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to dismantle its missile capabilities. Iranian officials quickly signaled retaliation, launching what they called the first wave of drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel.
The strikes mark one of the most significant direct confrontations between the longtime adversaries in years and come after weeks of mounting pressure and military buildup in the region.
According to US officials speaking on condition of anonymity, American forces struck Iranian targets from both air and sea. Iranian state media reported explosions in multiple cities, including Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz, with smoke seen rising over the capital.
One of the initial blasts was reported near offices associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian sources later indicated the 86-year-old leader had been moved to a secure location prior to the attack.
In a video statement posted on social media, Trump said the objective was to eliminate what he called imminent threats from the Iranian regime.
“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” Trump said. “They will never have a nuclear weapon.”
The Pentagon formally designated the campaign Operation Epic Fury, framing it as a major US military operation. Israel said its parallel campaign was named Operation Lion’s Roar.
Trump had signaled growing frustration in recent days over stalled nuclear negotiations with Tehran. Speaking to reporters before departing the White House on Friday, he said, “I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have. They cannot have nuclear weapons.”
Despite the strong rhetoric, US intelligence assessments have previously suggested Iran may not be capable of developing a militarily viable intercontinental ballistic missile until around 2035 if it chooses to pursue that path.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the joint strikes, saying they were necessary to remove what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran’s leadership.
In a statement, Netanyahu said Israeli forces were targeting sites linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Basij volunteer force and ballistic missile infrastructure.
Iran responded within hours. The Revolutionary Guard announced it had launched the “first wave” of drones and missiles toward Israel, warning that further attacks could follow. Israeli military officials said defensive systems were activated after detecting incoming ballistic missiles.
Explosions were reported in northern Israel as air defenses worked to intercept the projectiles. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Iranian-aligned Houthi officials in Yemen also indicated the group planned to resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and Israeli targets in support of Tehran. The Houthis had previously suspended such attacks under an arrangement with Washington that halted US strikes against the group.
Across the region, governments and airlines moved quickly to adjust. Iran closed its airspace and reported disruptions to mobile communications, while Israel shut its own airspace to civilian flights and urged citizens to prepare for possible retaliation.
The United States has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East in recent weeks, deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups along with thousands of additional troops and assets to regional bases.
Trump acknowledged the risk of escalation and warned there could be American casualties but insisted the operation was necessary to protect US interests and allies.
Some international observers questioned the legality of the strikes. Former UK national security adviser Lord Peter Ricketts told the BBC the action would not be considered lawful under the standards Britain typically recognizes, arguing there was no clear imminent threat to the United States.
The latest confrontation follows months of rising friction over Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities. It also comes after earlier US operations targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, including the previously announced Operation Midnight Hammer.
With missiles already exchanged and allied militias signaling involvement, analysts warn the situation could rapidly widen into a broader regional conflict if diplomatic channels fail to contain the escalation.
