U.S. and Israel Launch Coordinated Airstrikes on Iranian Military and Nuclear Sites
Operation “Epic Fury” targets missile capabilities as Tehran vows retaliation
TEHRAN — In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes early Saturday against Iranian military and nuclear facilities, marking the opening of what President Donald Trump has dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”
President Trump announced the mission on social media, stating the operation aims to “dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities while supporting protesters against the regime.” The strikes targeted multiple sites across Iran, with initial reports indicating significant damage to military installations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the operation as “a historic stand against a terror regime” and issued a direct appeal to Iran’s diverse ethnic groups to “rise up” against the government.
Pahlavi Issues Statement to Iranian People
In a dramatic development, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran, released a statement addressing the Iranian people, security forces, and President Trump directly.
Addressing his “dear compatriots,” Pahlavi characterized the airstrikes as a “humanitarian intervention” targeting “the Islamic Republic, its apparatus of repression, and its machinery of killing—not the country and great nation of Iran.”
“Despite the arrival of this assistance, the final victory will still be achieved by us,” Pahlavi stated. “It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish this task in this final battle. The time to return to the streets is approaching.”
In a direct appeal to Iranian security forces, Pahlavi urged them to abandon the regime: “You have sworn an oath to protect Iran and the Iranian nation, not the Islamic Republic and its leaders. Your duty is to defend the people… Otherwise, you will sink with Khamenei’s ship and his crumbling regime.”
Pahlavi also appealed to President Trump to “exercise the utmost possible caution to preserve the lives of civilians and my compatriots,” describing the Iranian people as “natural allies” of the free world who “will not forget your assistance.”
Retaliation Underway
Iran has reportedly launched missile attacks against Israeli targets and U.S. bases in Iraq and Gulf states in response to the operation, according to preliminary reports. Casualty figures remain unclear as the situation continues to develop.
Pahlavi advised Iranians to “remain in your homes and remain calm and safe” while staying “alert and ready to return to the streets for the final action at the appropriate time, which I will communicate to you.” He indicated he would maintain contact through social media, satellite broadcasts, and potentially radio if communications are disrupted.
International Reaction
World leaders have responded with a range of reactions, from praise to sharp criticism, as the international community grapples with the implications of direct military action against Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.
“We are very close to final victory,” Pahlavi concluded. “I hope to be with you as soon as possible so that together we may reclaim Iran and rebuild it.”
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