Trump says U.S. military has begun major combat operations in Iran

The U.S. navy has begun “main fight operations” in Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday.

“Our goal is to defend the American folks by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very onerous, horrible folks,” Trump mentioned in a video message on his Fact Social account.

A U.S. official confirmed earlier that American forces attacked Iran by air and sea, the Reuters information company reported.

A number of ministries within the southern a part of the Iranian capital, Tehran, had been focused, Reuters quoted an unidentified Iranian official as saying.

Media studies mentioned explosions had been heard in key cities across the Center East.

Trump mentioned Iran has continued to pursue nuclear weapons regardless of ongoing negotiations to finish its program.

“in operation midnight hammer final June, we obliterated the regime’s nuclear program at Fordow nets. And Isfahan. After that assault, we warned them by no means to renew their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal,” Trump mentioned. “However Iran refused.”

“As a substitute, they tried to rebuild their nuclear program and to proceed creating the lengthy vary missiles that may now threaten our excellent associates and allies in Europe, our troops stationed abroad and will quickly attain the American homeland,” he mentioned.

A Pentagon responsibility press officer mentioned the division has obtained CNBC’s emailed requests for remark however made no additional clarification.

Earlier, Israel launched a daylight assault Saturday on Iran’s capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from the town’s downtown, the Related Press reported.

It wasn’t instantly clear what the goal was. However the assault got here as america has assembled an unlimited fleet of fighter jets and warships within the area to attempt to strain Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz described the assault as being accomplished “to take away threats.” He didn’t instantly elaborate.

The Israel Protection Forces mentioned it recognized missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.

“Defensive programs are working to intercept the risk. Previously jiffy, the House Entrance Command has despatched a precautionary directive on to cellphones within the related areas,” the IDF mentioned in a tweet.

A senior Center East diplomat who has direct data of the latest talks between Iran and the US has advised MS Now: “But once more when negotiations get near success … Israel has intervened to preempt diplomacy.”

In Tehran, witnesses heard the blast. Iranian state tv later reported on the explosion, with out providing a trigger.

Sirens sounded throughout Israel on the identical time. The Israeli navy mentioned that it had issued a “proactive alert to arrange the general public for the opportunity of missiles being launched towards the state of Israel.”

Bahrain mentioned the service middle of the U.S. Fifth Fleet was subjected to a missile assault.

The U.S. embassy in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, issued a safety alert warning of “imminent drone/missile assault in Bahrain”.

In a tweet, the embassy urged “U.S. residents in Bahrain to shelter in place, overview safety plans within the occasion of an assault, and to remain alert in case of extra future assaults. U.S. Embassy personnel are sheltering in place.”

The U.S. embassy in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, additionally issued a shelter-in-place alert.

Airways began rerouting flights following the beginning of the assaults.

A spokesperson for Dubai-based provider Emirates mentioned it’s “adjusting our operations in step with the newest developments.”

German provider Lufthansa mentioned it’s suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman till March 7, Reuters reported. Dutch airline KLM reportedly canceled flights to Tel Aviv from Amsterdam.

Trump warned earlier in February that “actually dangerous issues” would occur until Tehran agreed to a deal over the way forward for its nuclear program. The assault, which comes after a major construct up of navy belongings within the oil-rich Center East area.

The U.S. and Iran had held a 3rd spherical of talks in Switzerland on Thursday to attempt to resolve a standoff.

Forward of the discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned Iran’s reluctance to speak about its ballistic missile growth program, alongside its nuclear program, was a “massive, massive downside.” Iran had mentioned it was prepared to compromise when it got here to its nuclear program, however had repeatedly mentioned Tehran’s missile program had by no means been a part of the talks’ agenda.

There have been earlier indicators that Washington was dropping its persistence with Iran after the White Home mentioned, after earlier talks, that Iran was not addressing its core calls for.

Earlier in February, Iran reportedly mentioned in a letter to United Nations Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres that Tehran would reply “decisively” if subjected to navy aggression.

Vitality market individuals have been carefully monitoring the escalating geopolitical tensions, with oil costs climbing to six-month highs after Trump’s amid considerations of a potential provide shock.

Iran, a founding member of OPEC, is a serious oil producer and sits on the coronary heart of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, by way of which about 20% of the world’s oil passes.

Final June, the U.S. launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear amenities, inflicting what intelligence advised was extreme harm to Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran responded by launching a retaliatory strike on an American air base in Qatar, reportedly inflicting minor harm however inflicting no casualties.

That is breaking information. Please test again for updates.

— Riya Bhattacharjee, Victor Loh and Emma Graham contributed to this story