…As Trump vows to ‘annihilate’ military assets,
Tensions in the Middle-East spiralled dramatically yesterday, as Israel launched what it described as a “pre-emptive strike” on Iran, triggering swift retaliation from Tehran and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed that Israeli forces carried out coordinated strikes on Iranian targets in the early hours of Saturday. Following the operation, the Israeli government declared a nationwide state of emergency amid concerns of imminent retaliation.
Authorities warned that Iran could respond with drones and ballistic missiles, prompting emergency measures across the country. Hours later, Iran reportedly launched missiles toward Israel in retaliation for the earlier strikes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it had detected missiles fired from Iran shortly after the offensive began.
Air raid sirens were activated nationwide, as the IDF said it was intercepting incoming threats while carrying out counterstrikes where necessary. Urging residents to adhere strictly to Home Front Command safety directives, the military cautioned that “the defense is not hermetic,” signalling that some projectiles could evade interception.
The crisis further intensified after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, confirmed American involvement in what he described as “major combat operations” inside Iran.
In a video address posted on his Truth Social platform from his Florida residence, Trump vowed to dismantle Iran’s military capabilities, declaring that the United States would “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground” and “annihilate their navy”.
Addressing the Iranian people directly, Trump also called for them to overthrow their government, stating that once military operations concluded, “take over your government. It will be yours to take”.
The unfolding confrontation marks one of the most direct military exchanges between Israel and Iran in recent years, heightening concerns over a broader regional escalation involving global powers.
