In a video posted on Truth Social, Donald Trump said the United States has begun what he described as “major combat operations” in Iran.
He stated that the objective of the campaign is to defend the American people by eliminating what he called imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime. Trump also confirmed that the US is seeking regime change in Iran.
In the message, he vowed to “destroy” Iran’s missiles and “annihilate” its navy, while acknowledging that US forces “may have casualties” during the operation. Addressing the Iranian public directly, he urged them to “take over your government,” adding that America is “backing you” and describing the situation as “the moment for action.”
Justifying the military action, Trump said the aim was to defend the American people by eliminating what he described as imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Tehran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear programme and develop long-range missiles capable of threatening US allies in Europe, American troops overseas and potentially the US mainland.
He warned civilians in Iran that the bombing campaign would be extensive, urging them to remain sheltered and avoid leaving their homes, saying it would be “very dangerous” outside as bombs would be falling widely.
Oil prices jump as Middle East tensions escalate
Oil prices climbed sharply as tensions in the Middle East escalated following the launch of US and Israeli military action against Iran in the early hours of Saturday.
Brent crude was trading between $72.5 and $72.9 per barrel, while US benchmark WTI hovered around $67 per barrel, reflecting heightened geopolitical risk premiums in energy markets.
Even before the latest developments, crude prices had risen more than 15% since the start of the year amid growing concerns about potential conflict in the region, counterbalancing wider expectations of global oversupply.
The surge follows reports that Israeli forces carried out a pre-emptive strike on Tehran, with multiple explosions reported across the Iranian capital. The operation represents a significant escalation in regional tensions and has reverberated through global energy markets, with traders reassessing supply risks across the Gulf.
