The United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on Saturday, striking government buildings in the heart of Tehran, as President Donald Trump said the US military had begun “major combat operations” aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and calling on the Iranian people to revolt against their government.
Reports from Iran said that explosions were heard in Tehran and several other locations across the country. State-run media reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was “safe and sound,” with reports saying the attacks targeted buildings in the Tehran neighborhood where the presidential palace and National Security Council are located.
Trump said in an eight-minute video posted on social media that “major U.S. combat operations in Iran” were aimed at eliminating “imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a sinister group of very powerful and terrible people.” He pledged that the Iranian “terrorist regime” would never be able to possess a nuclear weapon.
“I’ll say it again — they can never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. He repeated the US administration’s claim to erase Iran’s nuclear program last June, and claimed that Tehran was trying to rebuild its atomic program and develop long-range missiles that already threaten “friends and allies in Europe” and could soon reach the American homeland.
The Indian Embassy in Israel urged Indian citizens to “exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times” due to the security situation in the area. “We strongly advise Indian citizens to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command,” she said in a warning.
The Indian mission in Tehran recently reiterated its advice to all Indians in Iran to leave the country. On Saturday, the embassy said in a new warning that citizens should “exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary movements and stay at home.”
More than 40,000 Indians live in Israel, while the number of Indians in Iran is about 10,000.
Trump said the United States had repeatedly sought a deal with Iran, which he claimed had rejected “every opportunity to give up its nuclear ambitions.” The US military operation aims to prevent this “evil extremist dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests,” and will wipe out Iran’s missile industry, eliminate the Navy, and ensure that “terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world.”
“This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the power and tyranny of the US Armed Forces,” he added, while calling on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces and police to lay down their weapons “to obtain complete immunity” or face “certain death.”
Trump urged the Iranian people to revolt against the government after the end of the US military operation. “When we finish, take over your government,” he said. “This will be your government, and this will probably be your only chance for many generations.”
“Now is the time to take control of your destiny and unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close at your fingertips. This is the moment of action, don’t let it pass you by.”
In its warning, the Indian Embassy in Israel said that all Indian citizens “should stay close to designated shelters and familiarize themselves with the nearest protected places.” They should also avoid non-essential and non-essential travel within Israel, and monitor local news, official announcements and emergency alerts.
“The embassy remains in close contact with the relevant authorities and will continue to issue updates as necessary,” the warning stated.
