A coordinated air-and-sea assault early Shabbos morning targeted Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure across multiple cities, prompting a sweeping Iranian retaliation against Israel and U.S. assets in the region.

In the early hours of Shabbos, at 8:10 AM, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale joint military operation against Iran, striking over 500 military and nuclear-related targets in what Israeli officials confirmed is named “Roaring Lion.”

According to Israeli defense sources, the coordinated assault included both air and naval components and is expected to continue for several days, possibly up to a week, depending on operational developments and Iranian responses

In the opening phase of Operation “Roaring Lion,” Israeli and U.S. forces reportedly executed a sweeping decapitation strike aimed at Iran’s upper echelon of military leadership, targeting senior Revolutionary Guard commanders, defense officials, and high-level regime figures in near-simultaneous precision attacks across Tehran and other strategic locations. According to Israeli sources, the goal of the initial wave was to paralyze command-and-control capabilities, disrupt coordinated retaliation, and create immediate operational shock by removing or isolating key decision-makers at the very top of Iran’s military hierarchy. Reports indicate that multiple senior IRGC figures were killed and that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was cut off from communication during the strikes, though his status has not been officially confirmed.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the operation followed months of joint planning with the U.S. military and was designed to significantly degrade Iran’s strategic capabilities.

Within hours, Iran launched a widespread missile and drone counterattack toward Israel. Sirens sounded across northern and central Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, sending millions of residents into protected areas.

As of Motzei Shabbos, no Israeli fatalities have been confirmed, though damage assessments are ongoing. Air defense systems intercepted the majority of incoming projectiles, according to Israeli security sources.

Iran also allegedly has been attacking countries across the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan. With various reports on the success of these strikes.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated explicitly that the joint strikes on Iran were carried out in direct defense of “core American interests,” arguing that Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional aggression posed an unacceptable threat to U.S. national security and global stability. He declared that the objective of the operation goes beyond degrading military capabilities, saying his administration intends to see the current Iranian regime removed from power. Trump warned that if Tehran continues retaliatory actions, the United States is prepared to escalate further, framing the campaign as a decisive effort to end what he described as decades of hostile behavior by the Ayatollah-led government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the objective of Operation Roaring Lion is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to remove what he described as the “Ayatollah regime” from power.

Israeli officials emphasized that the campaign is focused on strategic military and regime targets, not the Iranian civilian population.

Military officials on both sides are preparing for continued exchanges in the coming days. Israeli authorities remain on high alert for additional missile barrages, while U.S. assets in the Gulf region have reportedly elevated defensive readiness levels.

This remains a rapidly developing story.