US president Donald Trump has thrown his full support behind Israel’s sweeping air offensive against Iran, calling it a “pre-planned and precise operation” and warning that Iran faces far more devastating consequences unless it swiftly agrees to scale back its nuclear ambitions.
“This is just the beginning if they don’t back off,” Trump told The Wall Street Journal. “A deal needs to happen — fast — before there’s nothing left.”
His remarks come amid one of the most dangerous escalations in the region in years. Over the past two days, Israel has launched a series of coordinated airstrikes deep into Iranian territory, including the capital Tehran, targeting key military and nuclear sites.
The Israeli military said 70 warplanes struck more than 40 targets in and around Tehran overnight, killing at least 20 senior army and Revolutionary Guards commanders. Drones continue to operate over Iranian airspace, signaling what military spokesperson Effie Defrin called “aerial freedom of action” over western Iran. “This is the deepest we’ve operated inside Iran,” Defrin said.
The offensive follows a retaliatory missile exchange between the two countries. On Friday, Iran launched a volley of surface-to-surface missiles at Israel, killing at least four people near Tel Aviv and injuring dozens more. In response, Israeli warplanes began a preemptive campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s missile launchers, air defenses, and nuclear infrastructure.
According to Iranian officials, over 80 people have died in the Israeli strikes so far, including 20 children. Among the dead are key figures in Iran’s military hierarchy as well as nine nuclear scientists. Iran also confirmed that the Fordow enrichment facility — one of the most sensitive components of its nuclear programme — was among the sites hit.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attacks as “barbaric” and declared that continued US-Iran nuclear talks are “unjustifiable” in the current climate.
In Israel, the population remains on high alert. While many resumed their daily routines Saturday, the memory of Friday night’s strikes lingers, with families preparing for more nights in bomb shelters. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the campaign would not slow down, warning that “Tehran will burn” if Iran continues its assault.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed the military operation will last “as many days as it takes.” A senior Israeli official confirmed that a two-week campaign has been planned, though its duration may depend on Iran’s response.
With US backing and an increasingly volatile regional landscape, analysts warn the confrontation could widen if diplomatic channels remain closed. “What we’re seeing is a dangerous tipping point,” said a Western diplomat in the region. “If no off-ramp is found soon, the cost will be catastrophic for both sides — and beyond.”
