Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran Following Coordinated US-Israeli Military Strikes
Former United States President Donald Trump has declared he is fully prepared to dramatically escalate American military action against Iran in response to recent coordinated strikes conducted by the US and Israel. In a provocative statement, Trump warned he could "go long and take over the whole thing" if Tehran attempts to rebuild its nuclear or missile programs following the attacks.
Trump's Direct Threats and Call for Iranian Uprising
During a five-minute phone interview with Axios conducted from his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump outlined his stark ultimatum to Iran. "I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: 'See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs],'" the former president stated bluntly.
In a separate video address where he announced what he termed "major combat operations", Trump directly appealed to the Iranian people to rise up against their government. He urged citizens to "seize control of your destiny" and overthrow the Islamic leadership that has governed since the 1979 revolution. "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," Trump declared in his message to Iranians.
Details of the Coordinated Military Strikes
The military operation, launched jointly by American and Israeli forces during the holy month of Ramadan, targeted multiple critical Iranian facilities according to US officials. The strikes focused on:
- Revolutionary Guard command facilities
- Air defence systems across Iran
- Missile and drone launch sites
- Military airfields throughout the country
Early attacks appeared to hit near the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the operation commenced. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed there were "growing signs that Khamenei is no longer around" and confirmed that strikes had specifically targeted the Supreme Leader's compound.
Israeli Claims and Iranian Response
In a televised address, Netanyahu asserted that Israeli forces had successfully eliminated senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, nuclear officials, and other key regime figures. He promised to continue targeting "thousands of targets of the terror regime" in the coming days and expressed gratitude to Trump for his "historic leadership", describing the former US president as "a leader who keeps his word."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi provided a contradictory account to NBC News, stating that both Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were alive "as far as I know." Araghchi characterized the attack as "unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate" while speaking to the American news outlet.
Casualty Reports and Regional Retaliation
Iranian state media, citing information from the Red Crescent organization, reported significant casualties from the strikes:
- At least 201 people killed
- More than 700 individuals injured
- Dozens killed in southern Iran, including at a girls' school allegedly struck during fighting
The US military reported it had suffered no casualties and only minimal damage at its regional bases despite what it described as "hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks" in retaliation.
Tehran launched its own counterstrikes targeting both Israel and American installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Air defence systems were activated across the Middle East as the conflict escalated regionally.
International Response and Monitoring
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the rapidly developing crisis. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed it was closely monitoring the situation and stated it had observed no evidence of radiological impact from the attacks thus far.
The coordinated military action represents a significant escalation in tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, with Trump's statements suggesting the potential for even broader conflict should Iran attempt to reconstitute its nuclear or missile capabilities in the aftermath of these strikes.
