U.S. and Israel Attack Iran, Trump Says “Bombs Will be Dropping Everywhere”

The United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on Iran today, targeting senior military leaders and triggering retaliatory missile attacks across the Middle East in one of the most dangerous escalations the region has seen in years.

Iran condemned the attacks as illegal and unprovoked and responded by firing missiles toward Israel and several Gulf countries that host U.S. military bases. Air defence systems intercepted many of the missiles, but explosions were reported in multiple countries, according to Reuters.

Three sources told Reuters that Iran’s defence minister and a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards were killed in Israeli strikes. Iranian state media reported that at least 40 people were killed in an airstrike on a school, though the report could not be independently confirmed.

In a video message posted to Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump said the operation was aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and eliminating what he called “immediate threats”.

“Bombs will be dropping everywhere,” Trump said, urging Iranians to remain sheltered. He also called on the public to overthrow their leaders, saying, “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes could create conditions for Iranians to “take their destiny into their own hands.”

The Pentagon said the opening phase of the operation, named “Operation Epic Fury”, focused on Iranian leadership targets after nuclear talks collapsed earlier this week.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that all U.S. bases and interests in the region were within reach and vowed continued retaliation.