What Sparked the US-Israel Offensive Against Iran? A Closer Look

Major Military Action Against Iran

Dubai: A significant military operation was initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran on Saturday. President Donald Trump urged the Iranian populace to "take charge of your future" and oppose the Islamic regime that has governed since 1979.

Initial strikes targeted locations near the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with reports of explosions across the nation. Smoke was visible rising from Tehran, although it was unclear if Khamenei was present during the attacks.

"Once we conclude, take control of your government. This may be your only opportunity for generations," Trump stated in a video announcing the commencement of "major combat operations." He added, "For years, you sought America's assistance, but it never came."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported this ambitious objective, stating, "Our collaborative effort will enable the courageous Iranian people to determine their own fate."

This military action marks a dramatic escalation in US involvement in Iran and represents the second instance in eight months where the Trump administration has resorted to military force against the Islamic Republic.

The strikes followed Trump's recent order for a military operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, intending to bring him to New York to face federal drug conspiracy charges.

Tensions had escalated in the weeks leading up to the strikes, coinciding with the deployment of American warships to the region. Trump expressed a desire to negotiate a deal to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions, especially as the country faced internal unrest following widespread protests.

In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones targeting Israel, followed by attacks on US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. The United Arab Emirates and Iraq closed their airspace in response.

Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a resolute statement, asserting that the nation "will not hesitate" to respond. They declared, "It is time to defend our homeland and confront the enemy's military aggression."

Reports indicated that forty students were killed at a girls' school in southern Iran due to the US-Israel strikes, with at least 45 others injured in Minab, Hormozgan province.

Additionally, shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack in the UAE capital resulted in one fatality, according to state media.

Coordinated Assault by Israel and the US

Israel confirmed that the operation was a "broad, coordinated, and joint effort against the regime," meticulously planned over several months by both Israeli and US military forces.

In defending the military action, Trump claimed that Iran has persistently advanced its nuclear program and is developing missiles capable of reaching the US.

He acknowledged the possibility of American casualties, stating, "That often occurs in warfare." This marked a significant shift for a president who entered office with an "America First" agenda, pledging to avoid prolonged military engagements.

Trump's remarks suggested that the US was acting on grievances that date back to the inception of the Islamic Republic in 1979, which transformed Iran from a close ally of the US into a formidable adversary.

The president expressed intentions to "annihilate" the Iranian navy and dismantle regional proxies supported by Tehran.

He urged the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to disarm, promising immunity for those who complied while warning of "certain death" for those who did not.

"They have dismissed every chance to abandon their nuclear aspirations, and we can no longer tolerate it," Trump stated.

Despite previous threats of military action, Trump had refrained from intervening following Iran's recent crackdown on protests, which began as economic grievances but evolved into a widespread anti-government movement.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported over 7,000 deaths, with investigations into thousands more ongoing. The Iranian government has acknowledged more than 3,000 fatalities, although it has underreported or failed to disclose deaths from earlier unrest.

Iran claims it has not enriched uranium since June but has obstructed international inspectors from accessing the sites targeted during a previous 12-day conflict. Satellite imagery analyzed by news agencies indicates renewed activity at two of those locations, suggesting Iran is assessing and possibly recovering materials.

Currently, Iran has self-imposed limits on its ballistic missile program, restricting their range to 2,000 kilometers, which encompasses all of the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe.

There is no public evidence indicating that Iran is pursuing intercontinental ballistic missiles, although Washington has criticized its space program as potentially facilitating such developments in the future.

Iran had aimed to prevent war but insists on its right to enrich uranium and is unwilling to negotiate on other issues, such as its long-range missile program or support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

The strikes could significantly affect global markets, especially if Iran manages to render the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial shipping. In 2025, over 14 million barrels of oil traversed the strait daily, accounting for about one-third of global maritime oil exports.

Nationwide Strikes Across Iran

Reports from Iranian media indicated that strikes occurred throughout the country. Authorities closed roads leading to Khamenei's compound in central Tehran as explosions echoed across the capital.

Khamenei has not been seen publicly in recent days and was believed to have been relocated to a secure location during the previous conflict in June.

Witnesses in Tehran reported hearing the initial explosion near Khamenei's office, with state television later confirming the blast without providing a cause.

Further explosions were reported in Tehran following Israel's announcement of its attacks. Authorities have not disclosed casualty figures from the strikes.

The Israeli campaign targeted Iran's military assets, government symbols, and intelligence facilities, according to an official familiar with the operation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Iran's Retaliation

In response to the strikes, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard announced it had launched a "first wave" of drones and missiles aimed at Israel, prompting a nationwide alert as the military worked to intercept incoming Iranian projectiles. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the ongoing assault.

Meanwhile, Bahrain reported a missile attack targeting the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in the kingdom. Witnesses in Kuwait, home to US Army Central, heard sirens and explosions, and similar sounds were reported in Qatar.

Iraq and the UAE closed their airspace, and sirens were activated in Jordan.

Iraqi officials reported a drone strike on a headquarters of the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia in Iraq, resulting in two fatalities and three injuries on Saturday.

The group had previously threatened to intervene if Iran was attacked. An Israeli military official stated that Israel was unaware of any strikes on Kataib Hezbollah's facilities in Iraq.

The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen also pledged to resume assaults on Red Sea shipping routes and Israel, according to two senior Houthi officials who requested anonymity due to the lack of an official announcement from their leadership.

US embassies and consulates in Qatar, the UAE, and Israel advised their staff to shelter in place and recommended that all Americans do the same until further notice.