US and Israel Launch All-Out Attack on Iran — Trump Tells Iranians to 'Take Over Your Government'
The world woke up to chaos Saturday morning as the United States and Israel launched what President Donald Trump called 'major combat operations' against Iran — a massive coordinated strike that sent shockwaves across the entire Middle East and beyond.
The first wave of strikes reportedly targeted the compound of Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran. Smoke was seen rising from the capital as explosions rocked the city. Trump, in a video posted on social media, urged the Iranian people to 'take over your government' once the operation is finished — a stunning call suggesting the US and Israel may be aiming to topple the Islamic Republic.
The situation escalated rapidly beyond Iran's borders. Iran's Revolutionary Guard responded with a 'first wave' of drones and missiles targeting Israel, triggering a nationwide alert. Bahrain confirmed a missile attack on the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters, while explosions were heard in Kuwait and Qatar. Iraq and the UAE closed their airspace, and sirens blared across Jordan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint operation aimed to 'remove an existential threat' posed by Iran. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and Israel, while Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a defiant statement saying the country 'will not hesitate' in its response.
Trump acknowledged there could be American casualties, saying 'that often happens in war.' The strikes represent a dramatic escalation after weeks of rising tensions as US warships moved into the region. For millions of OFWs in the Middle East, the developments have triggered widespread alarm and anxiety about their safety.
Source: Manila Bulletin / AP
