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The United States and Israel launched a major joint military operation against Iran early Saturday, with President Trump announcing the strikes in a video posted to Truth Social. Trump described it as a massive and ongoing operation to prevent what he called a wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening American national security. The US military named the assault Operation Epic Fury. Trump called on Iran’s military to lay down their weapons and urged Iranian civilians to rise up and take back their government, saying his objective was securing freedom and safety for the Iranian people.
The strikes follow weeks of escalating pressure from the Trump administration over Iran’s nuclear program, and come after Trump previously ordered strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. In the lead-up to Saturday’s operation, the US had moved over a dozen naval ships and aircraft into the region while simultaneously engaging Iran in indirect nuclear talks, the most recent of which took place in Geneva just days ago.
Iran responded with missile launches. Israel’s military reported multiple rounds of Iranian missiles targeting the country, and at least two major US military bases in the region were also hit by Iranian strikes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Iran has every right to defend itself against what he described as an act of aggression, and criticized the US for attacking while negotiations were still progressing. He said a deal had been within reach. Araghchi dismissed Trump’s calls for regime change as impossible and said Iran had learned lessons from its 12-day war with Israel last summer.
Saudi Arabia also reported it was targeted by Iranian missiles, calling the attack blatant and cowardly and saying it was successfully repelled. Saudi Arabia said Iran struck despite knowing the kingdom had made clear it would not allow its territory to be used to target Iran.
House Democrats are scheduled to hold a virtual caucus call Sunday evening to discuss the strikes, with many calling on the Trump administration to brief Congress. Democrats have largely criticized the decision to launch the military operation.
Why This Matters to You:
This is one of the most significant military escalations in the Middle East in decades and its effects will be felt globally. Oil prices are likely to spike in the coming days given Iran’s position as a major energy producer and its ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes. That means higher fuel prices at the pump and potential inflationary pressure across supply chains. For Americans with family members serving in the region, the targeting of US military bases by Iranian missiles is an immediate and personal concern. More broadly, this raises urgent questions worth thinking about: Was military action the right call when diplomacy appeared to be progressing? What does regime change in Iran actually look like and who would fill the vacuum? And with Saudi Arabia now also under Iranian fire, how quickly could this escalate into a full regional war involving multiple nations?
*This is a developing story, stay tuned for more updates*
Live Updates:
11:49 a.m. (EST): Iranian state media has been disrupted with cyberattacks, according to Fox News Correspondent Jennifer Griffin
12:43 p.m. (EST): The FBI and it’s counterterrorism/counterintelligence units are on elevated alert nationwide. The FBI has not confirmed how long this alert will be in effect.
2:12 p.m. (EST): Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said “There are many signs” that the supreme leader of Iran is “No longer with us” per CNN
2:25 p.m. (EST): State Department has issued a worldwide caution alert for all Americans following the Iran Attack
3:15 p.m. (EST): Israel has confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Alli Khamenei, according to Israeli sources. One source claims they have a photo of Khamenei’s body. The other source says an official announcement is being prepared. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesmen denies this saying the Supreme Leader is “safe and sound.” But Khamenei has not been seen publicly or online since the strikes began. *Editors Note: This has yet to be confirmed officially*
4:59 p.m. (EST) Trump has said via Truth Social that Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Alli Khamenei is dead. This announcement comes after Israeli sources concluded that Khamenei died along with other senior officials in Iran. *Editors Note: There is still no official or public proof that Khamenei is dead.*
9:02 p.m. (EST): Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is confirmed dead by Iranian state media, he died in his compound at 86. Reports say some of his family was also killed during the Saturday attacks.
