The United States and Israel are conducting large-scale military operations against Iran that began last week. U.S. President Donald Trump said that operations carried out jointly with the Israelis are proceeding faster than planned and are delivering a crushing blow to Tehran's military capabilities. According to him, Iran's missile capabilities and 24 Iranian ships were destroyed over the past three days.
Trump did not limit himself to military statements, moving on to direct appeals aimed at Iran's security forces. He called on members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the army, and the police to lay down their arms, warning that otherwise they would face death. At the same time, the U.S. leader promised immunity to those who stop resisting and offered Iranian diplomats a role in building "a new and better Iran."
Washington's strategic goal, Trump said, is not only to weaken Iran now but also to prevent the resurgence of the threat in the future. He claims the damage inflicted will set Iran back ten years in terms of rebuilding its military potential. Trump also explicitly stated that the U.S. intends to influence who will govern the country after the conflict ends.
U.S. military leadership confirmed the president's optimistic statements. Secretary of Defense Pete Higsit said the Pentagon has enough ammunition and resources to conduct a prolonged campaign. Commander of U.S. Central Command of the Navy Admiral Brad Cooper reported specific results: destruction of 90% of Iran's ballistic missile launch capabilities, 80% of its drones, and the complete suppression of air defense systems.
The conflict, called "Lion's Roar" in Israel and "Epic Fury" in the U.S., has led to significant losses among Iran's leadership. According to the article, the country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, along with a number of high-ranking military and civilian officials. Iran responded with a counterattack called "Faithful Promise-4," but, according to U.S. statements, its capabilities have been seriously undermined.
Thus, the U.S. combines intensive military strikes with politico-psychological pressure, trying to provoke a split within Iran's power structures. Trump's rhetoric directed at Iran's military and diplomats is part of this strategy aimed at forcing Tehran to capitulate and radically change the country's political course.
Comments on the news
- What role does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps play in Iran's political and military system compared to the regular army? - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is an elite military formation created after the 1979 revolution to protect the Islamic system. Unlike the regular army (Artesh), which is responsible for conventional border defense, the IRGC has broader powers: it controls strategic sectors of the economy, influences domestic politics, heads the Basij popular militia, and oversees regional operations abroad. The IRGC reports directly to the Supreme Leader, not the government.
- What are the powers and sources of authority of the Supreme Leader (ayatollah) in Iran's political system, and who is the likely successor after the death of Ali Khamenei? - The Supreme Leader is the highest political and religious authority in Iran with lifetime powers. His authority derives from the concept of velayat-e faqih (rule of the Islamic jurist). He appoints key military and judicial leaders, approves presidential election results, and sets the country's overall policy. The successor is chosen by the Assembly of Experts (86 clerics), which oversees the leader's activities. Likely successors named include Ruhollah Khomeini's son Ahmad Khomeini, former president Ebrahim Raisi, or other senior religious figures, but no official candidates have been announced.
- What are the previous "Faithful Promise" operations carried out by Iranian forces, and who are they traditionally aimed at? - The "Faithful Promise" (Va'ad-e Sadeq) operations are a series of military exercises and real operations by the IRGC demonstrating the capabilities of Iran's missile forces. Traditionally these operations are aimed at perceived threats from Israel and the U.S. in the region, showcasing Iran's ability to strike distant targets. Recent drills included launches of ballistic missiles simulating strikes on an Israeli military base, reflecting Iran's deterrence doctrine amid regional tensions.
Full version: ترمب يدعو الحرس الثوري لإلقاء السلاح ويؤكد تدمير قدرات إيران الصاروخية