U.S., Israel attack Iran as Trump urges Iranians to ‘take over your government’

The United States and Israel carried out major military strikes in Iran Saturday as U.S. President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to “take over your government.”

The first strikes Saturday morning appeared to target the home to Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran. A source with knowledge of the matter had earlier told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran, and had been transferred to a secure location.

Tehran responded by launching missiles at Israel; explosions rang out in nearby oil-producing Gulf Arab countries like United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, Reuters reported. Tehran had warned it would strike the region if it was attacked.

In a video posted on his Truth Social announcing the attack early Saturday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned Washington’s decades-old dispute with Iran, including the seizure of the 1979 U.S. embassy in Tehran when students held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

He also talked about a range of other attacks the U.S. has blamed on Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution brought the clerics to power.

Trump said the “massive” operation was intended to ensure Tehran does not obtain a nuclear weapon, and aimed at “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”

He urged Iranians to shelter because “bombs will be dropping everywhere.”

However, he added: “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel — which considers Iran its archenemy — said the joint attack was to “remove” the Iranian regime’s “existential threat.”

“Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands,” Netanyahu said.

Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region, and Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program; the Iranian government has also been struggling with growing dissent following nationwide protests.

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Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press to discuss non-public information on the attack.

Iran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran has said it hasn’t enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed during a 12-day war then. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there.

Hours after the strikes, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it launched a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel. It had vowed to respond if attacked, including saying American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets.

Explosions rocked Israel as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties from the ongoing attack.

Several hospitals in Israel launched their emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities.

U.S. embassies or consulates in Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Israel posted on social media that they told staffers to shelter in place and recommended all Americans “do the same until further notice.”

Global airlines, including Air Canada, cancelled flights across the Middle East and the attacks raised the prospect of oil prices rising. Some oil majors and trading houses suspended crude oil and fuel shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, four trading sources told Reuters.

1:29 Carney says Canada supports US, Israel strikes on Iran to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada has “not been party” to the military build up or planning of the strikes. However, he said Saturday morning the country “supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.”

Carney also called for all parties to “protect civilian lives as best as possible in what is a very serious situation.”

Global Affairs Canada is urging all Canadians in Iran to shelter immediately, and the register with its Registration of Canadians Abroad service for its latest updates.

The agency is saying there are border crossing options to Türkiye via Qator/Kapıköy, Bazargan/Gürbulak and Sero/Esendere, and into Armenia via Nordoz/Agarak.

“You must have valid travel documents. If you have dual Canadian-Iranian citizenship, Iranian border officials may require you to exit Iran on your Iranian passport,” Global Affairs Canada said on its website.

“If you travel to one of Iran’s border crossings to leave the country, you do so at your own risk.”

Global Affairs Canada has also updated its travel advisories for Canadians in Gulf nations, including Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, warning of “ongoing military activity” in the region.

“Missiles, drones and other projectiles could strike targets in the region,” he said.

“The security situation could deteriorate significantly without notice.”

— with files from The Associated Press and Reuters