United States President Donald Trump has defended a joint military operation carried out by American forces in coordination with Israel against targets in Iran, describing the action as necessary to safeguard US national security interests.
Speaking in a video message shared on X on Saturday, Trump confirmed that American troops had commenced large-scale combat operations, stressing that the mission was aimed at neutralising what he called imminent threats posed by the Iranian government.
“A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran,” he said.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, also confirmed the strike, stating that the operation formed part of efforts to “remove threats against the State of Israel.”
According to Trump, Iran’s military and nuclear ambitions present direct risks not only to the United States but also to its global allies, military personnel, and overseas installations.
He said Iran’s actions continue to endanger American forces and interests worldwide.
“For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops, and the innocent people in many, many countries,” Trump stated.
The US president cited several historical incidents to justify the military action, including the 1979 seizure of the American embassy in Tehran, the 1983 bombing of US Marine barracks in Beirut, and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole.
“Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service…” he said while referencing past attacks linked to Iranian-backed groups.
Trump maintained that the operation was primarily intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability, which Washington and its allies have long described as a major global security concern.
