U.S. President Donald Trump described the ongoing military strikes against Iran as part of a plan to topple the regime. In a video address to the Iranian people on Saturday, he urged them to seize the opportunity to take control of the country. Trump warned that members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the armed forces and the police would be granted immunity if they disarmed, otherwise their lives would be in danger.
He added that the United States stands behind the Iranian people with “overwhelming strength and devastating force” calling on Iranians to seize their freedom and take their future into their own hands. Trump said the U.S. had launched large‑scale military operations in Iran to protect the American population from threats posed by the regime, and emphasized that the United States is determined to destroy Iran’s rockets and navy to stop Tehran’s destabilizing influence. He reiterated that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.
At the same time, an Iranian retaliation appears to have begun. The Israeli military reported that rockets had been fired from Iran toward Israel, and residents in the affected areas were urged to move to secure locations.