The United States, alongside Israel, carried out a large-scale military attack on major cities in Iran on Saturday, with President Trump framing the operation as a moment that could open the door to political change in Tehran. The coordinated strikes came after weeks of escalating rhetoric from Trump, who had repeatedly warned that the United States would act unless Iran’s leadership agreed to American demands, particularly concerning Tehran’s nuclear program. Just two days before the attack, American and Iranian officials engaged in a final round of mediated discussions, but those talks ended without a resolution.
On Saturday, Trump declared that “major combat operations” were underway inside Iran. The Department of Defense referred to the military campaign as “Operation Epic Fury.” The assault marked a significant escalation in tensions that had been building for months, with Washington and Jerusalem aligning publicly in their approach toward Iran.
Why Did the United States and Israel Attack Iran?
Strains between the United States and Iran intensified in January, when Trump pledged support for demonstrators after Iran’s government used lethal force to suppress public unrest. In recorded remarks delivered as the attack began, Trump directly addressed the Iranian people and encouraged them to seek political change once the military campaign concluded.
“This will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said. “For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let’s see how you respond.”
The latest strike represents the second U.S. military action inside Iran in less than a year. In June, American forces targeted three nuclear facilities in the country. Officials indicated that the current operation was expected to be considerably broader in scope than the earlier attack.
For Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, participating in the assault aligns with a long-standing objective to remove Iran’s leadership, which he has described as a significant threat to Israel, the broader Middle East, and global security. In a televised address, Netanyahu said the joint operation could “create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.”
