The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran Saturday morning. Iranian state media reported strikes on Tehran, the capital, and broadcast footage of smoke rising after bombings.
President Donald Trump, in a video message posted on Truth Social, announced “major combat operations in Iran” and called on the Iranian people to overthrow their government. Trump also said that Iran may succeed in killing Americans in retaliation for the attack.
U.S. officials said the attack targeted Iran’s military infrastructure and that Iranian strikes on American bases and assets were expected. In recent weeks, Trump has deployed warships, air defense systems, and fighter jets to the region. Axios has reported that, per Israeli officials, Israel is targeting Iranian officials as well as military assets.
Explosions were heard in several cities across Iran and air raid sirens sounded in Israel early Saturday morning. Iranian state media has said that President Masoud Pezeshkian, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, and other high officials are safe. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was not listed by name. An Israeli official told Reuters that footage showed Khamenei’s body being removed from the ruins of his residence, confirming death.
The number of casualties from American-Israeli strikes has not been confirmed. Iranian state media has reported that an Israeli strike hit a school in the southern city of Minab.
Iran quickly retaliated with missile strikes on Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. The extent of damages and casualties from Iranian strikes is as yet largely unreported. The Qatari Ministry of Defense confirmed to the Qatari news organization Al Jazeera that one of the strikes destroyed an American radar installation in the country.
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In an interview with NBC News Saturday morning, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said regime change in Iran was “Mission Impossible” and asserted that the regime enjoyed popular support. He called for an end to the attacks and deescalation.
The Russian and Chinese governments have issued condemnations of the attack on Iran. Canada and Australia expressed support for the attack. The UK has yet to issue a statement, despite the use of its territory of Diego Garcia as a base for American air assets in the Persian Gulf region.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump and cabinet members were monitoring the situation from the president’s home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
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