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Washington and Jerusalem’s Objectives

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the assault as a “pre-emptive strike” designed to remove looming threats, warning Israelis to brace for retaliation.

Trump, in a video message, said the campaign aimed to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry,” vowing to obliterate Iran’s naval capabilities and dismantle its regional proxy network. He reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

The statement followed weeks of escalating warnings from Washington demanding a new nuclear agreement. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is strictly peaceful.

Trump offered Iranian security forces what he called “complete immunity” if they laid down arms — or “certain death” if they resisted — and told civilians to prepare for sweeping change once the bombing ends.

Netanyahu echoed that message, saying the operation would “create the conditions” for Iranians to seize their future and remove what he called tyranny. Later, he said the strikes eliminated Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials.

The U.S. military’s Central Command said the operation targeted command centers, missile launch sites, drone facilities, air defenses and military airfields to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus.

The Israel Defense Forces said roughly 200 fighter jets dropped hundreds of munitions on about 500 targets in western and central Iran, severely degrading offensive capabilities.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief of staff, said the joint operation followed months of deep planning between U.S. and Israeli military leadership, dating back to last June’s 12-day conflict during which the U.S. struck three major Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran Strikes Back

Tehran’s response was swift. The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said it fired missiles at multiple Israeli sites and five major U.S. military facilities in the region, including:

• Al Udeid airbase in Qatar

• Al Dhafra airbase in the UAE

• U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain

• Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait

• Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan

The IRGC claimed a U.S. combat support vessel suffered “severe blows” and that a U.S. radar system in Qatar was destroyed.

The European Union naval mission, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, reported radio warnings from Iranian forces declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed — a narrow artery carrying roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments.

U.S. Central Command said American forces defended against hundreds of missiles and drones, reporting no U.S. deaths or combat-related injuries and minimal operational impact.

Israeli media said about 150 Iranian ballistic missiles were launched toward Israel. Air defenses intercepted many; others struck open areas.

Magen David Adom reported treating a teenager for shrapnel wounds and several others for blast-related injuries.

In the Gulf, the UAE intercepted missiles, though falling debris killed a Pakistani civilian in Abu Dhabi and injured four others in Dubai. Kuwait reported injuries to three soldiers at Ali Al Salem airbase and minor damage at its international airport. Bahrain said residential buildings were damaged in Manama and Muharraq, and confirmed a missile strike near the U.S. Fifth Fleet service center. Qatar reported intercepting several missile waves over Doha.