US launches Operation Epic Fury on Iran as Israel joins and Tehran targets American bases

The United States on Friday launched a sweeping military offensive dubbed Operation Epic Fury, targeting key Iranian military assets just days after Donald Trump gave Tehran a 10-day deadline to finalise a nuclear deal and warned that “bad things” would happen if it failed to comply with Washington’s demands.

Hours after the assault began, U.S. defence officials publicly confirmed the operation’s name in a social-media post featuring an American flag emoji.

The coordinated strikes and retaliatory threats mark one of the most dangerous escalations in years, raising fears of a wider regional war involving multiple Middle Eastern states.

Joint US–Israel strikes intensify conflict

On Saturday, Israel and the United States expanded the campaign, striking multiple strategic targets across Iran. According to Bloomberg, Trump urged Iranian citizens to overthrow their government after the operation concludes.


Addressing Iranians in a video posted on Truth Social, Trump said: "The hour for your freedom is at hand. When we’re finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations.”

Multiple large explosions were reported in Tehran before the message, while Iranian state media said the country had launched a wave of missile and drone attacks toward Israel. The Israeli military said its defence systems were intercepting incoming threats.

Trump says strikes follow Iran’s refusal

Trump said the operation began after Iran refused to renounce nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran has consistently denied. He added Washington intends to dismantle Iran’s missile stockpile, defence industry and naval capabilities.

He stated: "A short time ago, the US military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," and warned that the operation might cost U.S. lives.

Iran strikes back

Just moments after Israel's strike, Iran hit back and launched missiles towards Israel. Explosions rocked northern Israel as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles.

The blasts echoed just after the Israeli military said it would be using its air defence systems to bring down the Iranian fire.

There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties from the ongoing attack.

Several U.S. bases in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain are under attack by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, signalling a sharp escalation in regional tensions involving the United States and Iran.

Explosions and emergency sirens were reported near a U.S. military base in Qatar after Iran launched retaliatory attacks following joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on Tehran, according to media reports.

Qatar said its air defences shot down all missiles targeting the country, according to the state news agency, as tensions surged following Iranian strikes across the region. The UAE also reported intercepting several missiles launched by Iran, signalling a widening arc of confrontation beyond the initial flashpoints.

In neighbouring Iraq, airstrikes hit headquarters of the Hashd Shaabi PMF south of Baghdad, killing one person and wounding three, a spokesperson said.

US Embassies issue shelter alerts

Amid fears of further escalation, several U.S. embassies across the region — including those in Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan — urged American citizens to remain indoors and review emergency plans.

In a message posted online, the U.S. embassy in Manama said: “The U.S. Embassy in Manama urges U.S. citizens in Bahrain to shelter in place, review security plans in the event of an attack, and to stay alert in case of additional future attacks.”