US President Donald Trump declared Saturday that the United States has launched a sweeping military offensive against Iran, pledging to dismantle its missile capabilities, destroy its navy, and push for the fall of its government.
In a video address posted from his Florida residence on his Truth Social platform, Trump spoke shortly after US and Israeli forces began bombing operations in Iran. He made it clear that the campaign’s aim is to cripple the Islamic republic’s military strength and remove the leadership that has ruled since the 1979 revolution.
“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally — again — obliterated. We’re going to annihilate their navy,” he said.
Addressing the Iranian people directly, Trump encouraged them to rise against their leaders.
“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” he said. “This will be probably your only chance for generations. The hour of your freedom is at hand.”
Trump also called on Iranian security forces — including the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — to surrender, offering what he described as immunity in exchange for laying down arms.
“To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity or in the alternative, face certain death,” he warned.
Justifying the military action, Trump said the United States was acting to eliminate what he called imminent threats from Tehran.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” he said, accusing Iran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program and expand long-range missile capabilities that could threaten US allies in Europe, American troops abroad, and potentially the US homeland.
He also warned civilians in Iran to remain indoors as bombing intensified.
“Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere,” he said.
The assault follows what observers described as the largest US military buildup in the Middle East in years. Just days earlier, Trump had said he had not yet decided whether to launch an attack, even as American envoys were engaged in talks with Iranian officials over nuclear concerns.
Oman had been mediating discussions between Washington and Tehran, with meetings reportedly held in Geneva. Oman’s top diplomat, who later met US Vice President JD Vance, expressed cautious optimism about a possible compromise, claiming Iran had signaled willingness to halt stockpiling enriched uranium — a claim Tehran denied.
In June, Trump had already ordered strikes on Iran’s main nuclear facilities in support of an Israeli military campaign, setting the stage for the latest escalation.
