Middle East on Brink: Missiles Fly Between Iran and Israel, Trump tells Iranians ‘hour of your freedom is at hand’

West Asia has plunged into one of its most dangerous confrontations in years after the United States and Israel launched a sweeping joint military operation against Iran, triggering missile retaliation, emergency declarations, airspace closures and global alarm.

The offensive, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion, targeted Iranian military and nuclear-linked infrastructure. Within hours, Iran responded with missile launches toward Israel and strikes on a US military base in Bahrain, widening the arc of conflict and raising fears of a broader regional war.

What Triggered Operation Roaring Lion?

Israel and the United States initiated the joint strike, describing it as a necessary move to eliminate what they called an existential threat posed by Iran.

In a national address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran."

Thanking US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said, "I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has called for 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America.' It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity. Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands."

He also appealed directly to Iranian citizens, stating, "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran."

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the launch of what they described as a broad operation. "The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel's borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole," it said.

How Did Iran Respond?

Iran retaliated swiftly. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed missile launches from Iran toward Israeli territory following what it described as a joint "pre-emptive" strike.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas," the IDF posted on X.

Iran also announced a targeted strike on a US military base in Bahrain. According to the Iranian embassy in India, "A U.S. military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes."

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps condemned what it termed the "Brutal Aggression of the Zionist Regime" and described its actions as retaliation. "In the Name of God, the Breaker of Tyrants. In response to the aggression of the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of extensive missile and drone strikes by the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the occupied territories has commenced," the Iranian embassy in India said.

Iranian officials had earlier vowed a "crushing response," signalling that further retaliation could follow.

What Did Trump Say About the Operation?

President Donald Trump confirmed the launch of military operations targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure and issued a stark warning to Iranian forces.

"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. So, lay down your arms, you will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death," he said.

Addressing Iranian citizens, Trump added, "Finally, 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. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations."

He continued, "For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it. No President was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a President who is giving you what you want. So let's see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force..."

Reiterating Washington’s position, 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..."

He added, "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. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades. They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland..."

Trump further vowed, "For these reasons, the United States military has undertaken a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests...We're going to annihilate their Navy. We're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world..."

How Has the Conflict Affected the Region?

The confrontation has triggered sweeping emergency measures. Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, moved hospitals underground, and activated sirens. Iran, Israel, and Iraq closed their airspace, suspending all flights. Mobile phone lines were cut in parts of Tehran, and internet connectivity weakened in some areas.

The conflict erupted amid stalled nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran in Oman, deepening diplomatic fallout.

Indian missions across the region issued urgent advisories. The Indian Embassy in Doha stated, "Advisory In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in Qatar are advised to take due care, follow news and advisories as and when issued by the Embassy and local authorities. Our Embassy is continuing to function as usual. Embassy's 24x7 helpline number is 00974-55647502 and email for addressing any query is cons.doha@mea.gov.in"

In Jordan, the embassy warned, "In view of the prevailing regional situation, all Indian nationals and tourists in Jordan are advised to exercise utmost caution, stay safe and follow advisories issued by local authorities diligently. All Indian tourists in Jordan are further advised to leave the country immediately before the operations of commercial flights are disrupted. In case of any exigency, one may contact the Embassy at 00962-770 422 276."

What Role Is Iran’s Opposition Playing?

Amid the escalating conflict, exiled former crown prince Reza Pahlavi described the strike as a turning point.

"My dear compatriots, Moments of destiny lie ahead of us. The aid that the President of the United States promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived. This is a humanitarian intervention; and its target is the Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its machinery of slaughter--not the country and great nation of Iran. But, even with the arrival of this aid, the final victory will still be forged by our hands. It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish the job in this final battle. The time to return to the streets is near."

He urged Iran’s security forces to defect. "Now that the Islamic Republic is collapsing, my message to the country's military, police, and security forces is clear: You have sworn an oath to protect Iran and the Iranian people--not the Islamic Republic and its leaders. Your duty is to defend the people, not a regime that has taken our homeland hostage through repression and crime. Join the people and help bring about a stable and secure transition. Otherwise, you will go down with Khamenei's sinking ship and his regime," he said.

Reaching out to Trump, he added, "My message to the President of the United States, President Trump, is this: The noble people of Iran, despite the savage repression and massacres of this regime, stood firm with courage for nearly two months. I now ask you to exercise the utmost caution to preserve the lives of civilians and my compatriots. The people of Iran are your natural allies and those of the free world, and they will never forget your support in the most difficult period in contemporary Iranian history," he said.

He concluded with an appeal to citizens inside Iran. "T'o you, my dear compatriots in Iran: In these sensitive hours and days, more than ever, we must stay focused on our ultimate goal: reclaiming Iran. I ask you to remain in your homes for now and preserve your safety and security. Stay vigilant and ready so that, at the appropriate time--which I will announce to you precisely--you can return to the streets for the final action. Follow my messages through social media and satellite media. If there are disruptions to the internet and satellite, I will stay in touch with you via radio waves. We are very close to final victory. I want to be by your side as soon as possible so that together we can take back and rebuild Iran," he said.

As missiles fly and rhetoric intensifies, the Middle East stands at a volatile crossroads, with the risk of a wider regional conflict growing by the hour.

(With inputs from ANI)