US President Donald Trump officially announced in a video address that the United States had launched "massive combat operations" in Iran. The Pentagon named the American part of the operation "Operation Epic Fury", while Israel named the strike "Operation Lion's Roar".

In a direct address to Iran's military forces, Trump told them to lay down their arms or face certain death. "Surrender or die" – that was the essence of his message, delivered without diplomatic softening, directed straight at Iranian soldiers and commanders.

Trump outlined the reasons: Iran had continued developing its nuclear programme and plans to build missiles capable of reaching the US. He stressed that the American people would no longer tolerate the Iranian threat and called on Iran's citizens to "take back power".

The President acknowledged that military casualties were possible: "The lives of brave American heroes may be lost, and there may be casualties. That's what happens in war." Shortly after the strikes began, Iran retaliated with projectiles against American military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

This is the third named American operation during Trump's term – previously there were "Operation Midnight Guardian" against Iran's nuclear capacities and "Operation Absolute Decision" against Venezuelan President Maduro. Reactions around the world are divided, and part of the Iranian public, according to video footage, welcomed the strikes.