The United States and Israel have launched a series of joint military strikes against targets in Iran, a US official confirmed to Business Insider on Saturday. The offensive action, described by President Donald Trump as the beginning of "major combat operations," follows the collapse of diplomatic talks aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear and military programmes.
Iran has responded with significant retaliatory missile strikes targeting major American military bases across the region, including in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. US air defence systems have been actively intercepting incoming projectiles, with no critical damage to US facilities or American casualties reported so far.
Joint Offensive Utilises Array of Weaponry
According to a US official speaking on condition of anonymity, the offensive strikes employed a diverse mix of weaponry launched from American land, sea, and air assets. US warships fired Tomahawk cruise missiles, while ground forces utilised the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The operation also involved drones and unspecified standoff weapons.
The Israeli government stated its involvement was a "preemptive" strike. US ground, air, and naval forces participated alongside Israeli fighter jets. The United Kingdom, which has military assets in the region, confirmed it was not involved in the offensive operations but is participating in defensive measures.
Regional Defences Activated Against Retaliation
In response to the US-Israeli action, Iran launched multiple volleys of missiles over several hours. An Israeli official indicated awareness of "a few dozen" Iranian missiles launched. To counter this, the US military has deployed its top-tier air defence systems.
MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile systems and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) batteries are shielding bases, while US Navy warships have launched Standard Missile interceptors. Bahrain confirmed its major US Navy base was attacked, and Qatar reported shooting down Iranian missiles aimed at Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.
Context of Escalating Tensions
Saturday's strikes mark the second direct US military action against Iran in less than a year, following Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. In recent weeks, the US had surged military forces into the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, including more than a dozen warships and hundreds of aircraft, signalling a heightened state of readiness.
The collapse of negotiations on limiting Tehran's capabilities precipitated the current crisis. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that "British planes are in the sky" as part of coordinated defensive operations with allies, underscoring the multinational concern over regional stability.