Trump says US begins combat operations in Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes on Iran in a video message shared on Truth Social, reiterating that Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon.”

"A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran," Trump said in the video.

According to him, Washington's objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent "threats" from Tehran.

The U.S. leader has vowed to destroy Iranian nuclear and military capabilities.

"We will ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon," Trump said.

He stressed the U.S. is going to destroy Iran's missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.

The U.S. built up a massive military presence in the Middle East while holding talks with the Islamic Republic over a new deal to curtail its nuclear program.  Iranian state media has reported explosions in central Tehran, and news agency video showed plumes of smoke over the capital.