Washington: President Donald Trump confirmed in a social media video that the United States has launched a military campaign in Iran, describing the move as a defensive measure against "imminent threats."

In the eight-minute message, Trump stated that the objective of the operation is to protect American citizens by neutralising the Iranian government, which he characterised as a "vicious group of very hard, terrible people."

“Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world,” Trump said.

The president asserted that the Iranian regime has spent decades targeting U.S. interests and international civilians. “For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder,” he said.

Following strikes launched by the U.S. and Israel, Trump appealed directly to the Iranian public to seize control of the country.

“Take over your government,” Trump said. “It will be yours to take.”