The Strike: Operation Roaring Lion
The joint U.S.-Israeli mission, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion, shattered the morning calm across several Iranian cities. Unlike the nighttime precision strikes of previous years, this was a bold, daylight offensive designed to maximise the element of surprise. Explosions were reported in Tehran, Isfahan, and Karaj, with plumes of thick black smoke rising near the downtown offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
In a video statement posted to Truth Social, President Trump framed the intervention as a necessary preemptive measure.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump declared, citing intelligence that Tehran was moving toward long-range missile capabilities capable of reaching the U.S. mainland
A Region on the Brink
The scale of the attack appears to be the most significant U.S. military intervention in the Middle East since 2003. Reports indicate that dozens of strike aircraft, launched from carriers in the Arabian Sea and regional bases, targeted Iranian military infrastructure and symbols of government authority.
The Humanitarian and Political Stakes
While the White House maintains the strikes are focused on military targets, the humanitarian situation in Tehran remains fluid. With mobile services restricted and roads to government compounds blocked, the civilian population faces an uncertain night. President Trump directly addressed the Iranian people in his broadcast, stating, “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” and calling on them to take over their government.
Military Assets and Strategy
The joint U.S.-Israeli offensive, officially named Operation Lion’s Roar (or Operation Roaring Lion), is a multi-domain assault designed to dismantle Iran’s strategic capabilities.
Aerial Dominance: Dozens of U.S. and Israeli strike aircraft—including F-35I Adir stealth fighters and B-52 bombers—have been reported over Iranian airspace. The U.S. Navy has deployed a “vast fleet,” including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, to launch cruise missiles and facilitate round-the-clock sorties.
Target Profile: Intelligence officials confirm the strikes are focused on nuclear enrichment sites (such as Fordow and Isfahan), ballistic missile production facilities, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command-and-control centers.
Cyber & Electronic Warfare: Simultaneous with the physical strikes, Iran experienced widespread mobile service outages and the shutdown of its domestic intranet, likely a coordinated effort to paralyse the regime’s ability to organise a counter-response.
ONGOING Live Stream of war below