US President Donald Trump on Saturday said the United States has launched “major combat operations” in a joint effort with Israel aimed at “eliminating imminent threats” from Iran, in his first statement following the start of the operation. The operation, named “Lion’s Roar” by Israel, saw a broad daylight strike on Iran’s capital on Saturday, with thick plumes of smoke rising over downtown Tehran in a sharp escalation of tensions. The first reported blast occurred near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking one of the most sensitive locations in the country as a direct target.Iranian state media said strikes were carried out at multiple locations nationwide, suggesting a coordinated and expansive operation.Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the mission, said the United States was participating in the strikes. The precise scope of American involvement remains unclear. The White House declined immediate comment.It was not immediately known whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was present at his office compound during the attack. He has not made a public appearance in recent days amid mounting tensions with Washington. The operation unfolded as the US continued deploying a significant fleet of fighter jets and naval assets to the region, part of a broader push to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program.Authorities sealed off roads leading to Khamenei’s compound as additional explosions echoed across the capital. In response to the unfolding crisis, Iraq shut down its airspace, according to the Ministry of Transport.According to an official briefed on the operation, Israeli targets included Iranian military facilities, government symbols, and intelligence infrastructure, underscoring the strategic breadth of the campaign.