'They just wanted to practice evil': After attacking Iran, Trump says 'terrorist regime can never have nuclear weapon'

US President Donald Trump said the United States has launched a “major combat operations” in a joint effort with Israel aimed at “eliminating imminent threats” from Iran, in his first statement following the start of the operation.

In an eight-minute video statement confirming US strikes on Iran, Trump issued a direct warning to members of Iran’s security apparatus.



“To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police. I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death,” Trump said.

“Lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death,” he added.



He also appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government” following the strikes.

“It will be yours to take.This will be probably your only chance for generations," he said.

“To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere,” Trump said.

"Iran is the world's number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon...We warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it. Again, they wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it. They didn't know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil. " Trump said.

Trump said the Iranian regime “seeks to kill” and acknowledged that American forces could suffer casualties, noting that “that often happens in war,” but described the operation as a “noble mission” aimed at securing the future.

He added that the United States had “taken every possible step to minimize the risk to US personnel in the region.”

Trump described Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, accusing its leadership of repressing its people and continuing to pursue nuclear weapons despite repeated US warnings and diplomatic efforts.

"The Iranian regime remains the world’s foremost state sponsor of terror. It continues to oppress its own people and relentlessly pursues nuclear weapons—despite repeated warnings and diplomatic efforts from the United States. In Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we destroyed key elements of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Iran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions, rebuilding its program and developing long-range missiles that now threaten Europe, our troops, and potentially the American homeland," Trump said.

The operation, named “Lion’s Roar” by Israel, saw a broad daylight strike on Iran’s capital on Saturday, with thick plumes of smoke rising over downtown Tehran in a sharp escalation of tensions.

Iranian state media said strikes were carried out at multiple locations nationwide, suggesting a coordinated and expansive operation.

Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the mission, said the United States was participating in the strikes. The precise scope of American involvement remains unclear. The White House declined immediate comment.

It was not immediately known whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was present at his office compound during the attack. He has not made a public appearance in recent days amid mounting tensions with Washington. The operation unfolded as the US continued deploying a significant fleet of fighter jets and naval assets to the region, part of a broader push to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program.

Authorities sealed off roads leading to Khamenei’s compound as additional explosions echoed across the capital. In response to the unfolding crisis, Iraq shut down its airspace, according to the Ministry of Transport.

According to an official briefed on the operation, Israeli targets included Iranian military facilities, government symbols, and intelligence infrastructure, underscoring the strategic breadth of the campaign.