US and Israel launch strikes against Iran: Live Updates

President Donald Trump has confirmed “major combat operations” are underway to eliminate Tehran’s nuclear program and bring about a change in its government

The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, with President Donald Trump confirming that “major combat operations” are underway.

In a video posted on Truth Social, Trump vowed to decimate Iran’s military, eliminate its nuclear program, and bring about a change in its government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed in a video statement that a “joint operation” had been launched against what he described as the “existential threat” posed by Iran. He said the US-Israeli military action could “create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the US and Israel had struck military and civilian targets, “blatantly violating” the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that, in response to aggression by a “hostile and criminal enemy” against the Islamic Republic of Iran, it has launched the first wave of extensive missile and drone strikes on Israeli targets. Explosions are reportedly being heard in Israeli cities. The Israeli military said it had detected ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, describing them as the first wave of retaliation.

Large explosions were heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and residents reported seeing smoke rising from a district that houses the presidential palace and the Supreme National Security Council, according to local accounts.