Israel and Iran have entered one of the massive conflicts of the decade. Aided by the United States (US), Israel launched missile strikes near Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei's offices in Tehran. Amid the strikes, US President Donald Trump has spoken out, claiming that the 'hour of freedom is at hand' for Iranian nationals.
The US began "major combat operations in Iran", President Donald Trump said in a video on Truth Social. He said the objective is to defend the US by "eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime".
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In the video, the US President wears a white baseball cap with the letters USA, a navy suit, and a white shirt without a necktie. Behind him is a dark blue curtain as he announces the war in a video from Mar-a-Lago, his home and club in Palm Beach, Florida.
Claiming that Iran has continued to develop its nuclear programme and plans to develop missiles to reach the United States, he told the Iranian people that 'now is the time to seize control of your destiny'.
Trump called on Iranian officials to "lay down your arms" or "you will face certain death", and encouraged the Iranian people to "take over your government — it will be yours to take.".
'Hour of your freedom is at hand', says Trump
In a video on Truth Social, Trump told the Iranian people, "The hour of your freedom is at hand."
He also stressed that Iran funded terrorist proxies that have “soaked the Earth with blood and guts", reported AP. "It's been mass terror and we're not going to put up with it any longer,” he said.
In his address to Iranians, AP quoted Trump as saying, "When we are finished, take over your government."
"It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight."
The US President added, "Now is the time to seize control of your destiny."
'Attacks on Iran may lead to US casualties'
In the video posted on Truth Social, Trump acknowledged that the attacks on Iran may lead to US casualties.
“The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties,” he said.
“That often happens in war,” he added.
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'They just wanted to practice evil'
Trump stated that Iran wanted to reach an agreement to avoid conflict, but the talks were unproductive. The president’s patience was worn thin by the ongoing back and forth.
"They just wanted to practice evil," Trump said. "They rejected every chance to give up their nuclear goals, and we can’t take it anymore."
He mentioned that following the June attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites, "We warned them never to start their harmful pursuit of nuclear weapons. We tried many times to make a deal."
Trump reiterated that Iran "rejected every chance to give up their nuclear goals, and we can’t take it anymore."
He also emphasised that the strikes would weaken Iran’s ability to carry out terror attacks and halt its development of ballistic missiles. He did not explain how aerial bombardment could achieve these objectives.
