President Donald Trump encouraged the Iranian people to take over their government once the United States and Israel finished “major combat operations” in Iran, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.

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The U.S. and Israel launched the joint attack just after 9 a.m. local time in what the War Department has dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”

In video remarks posted to social media, Trump addressed the Iranian people directly and told them to “seize control of [their] destiny.”“The hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump said. “This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No President was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a President who is giving you what you want.”“America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force,” Trump directed at Iranians. “Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.”

Trump honed a portion of his message on empowering the people of Iran, but he also claimed the operation’s intent is to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” which he described as “vicious” and “very hard, terrible people.”

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The president noted that while there there could be American casualties, the mission is “noble” as it is aimed at stopping a “wicked, radical dictatorship” from threatening U.S. national security interests while also destabilizing the entire Middle East.