In connection with the attack, U.S. President Donald Trump recorded a video address lasting eight minutes. Key points from his speech:
“Our task is to ensure the safety of the American people by eliminating the immediate threat posed by the Iranian regime, which consists of extremely brutal people. In recent years, this regime has repeatedly attacked American forces in the Middle East, which is mass terror, and we can no longer tolerate it.
Iran is a state that supports terrorism, and just recently its authorities killed tens of thousands of their own citizens during protests. The policy of the United States, including my administration, has always been to prevent this terrorist regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.
After U.S. strikes last year, Iranian authorities sought to revive their nuclear program and continue developing long-range missiles that could threaten our allies in Europe and our troops abroad, and could even reach American territory.
We intend to destroy their missiles and completely crush their missile industry. It will be utterly destroyed. We will also eliminate their navy.
We understand that the lives of brave American warriors may be lost, and we may incur casualties, which usually happens during war. But our goal is the future. And this mission is noble.”
Addressing the Iranian military, Trump emphasized: “You must lay down your arms and receive full immunity, or you will face inevitable death.”
Trump also urged the citizens of Iran: “Stay in shelter. Do not go out into the streets. The situation is very dangerous. Bombs will be falling everywhere. After the operation is over, you will be able to take power in your country. This is your only chance in many generations... The time to act has come. Do not miss it.”
Amid the escalating situation, Israel hacked a popular Iranian prayer time app "Bad Sabah," adding calls for the overthrow of the Iranian regime under the headline “Help Has Arrived,” reports Ynet.
