US and Israel Launch Strikes Against Iran; Trump Says ‘Massive’ Op Underway; Khamenei Killed
- Cecilia Lazzaro Blasbalg
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
What to know
Trump vows to come to the aid of Iranian protesters when the Iranian regime brutally crushed public unrest in January.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is killed.
Israel joins US strikes on Iran as part of the goal to eliminate an existential threat.
Strikes include an area of Tehran housing the presidential palace and regime.
The United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday in a massive operation, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” by the Pentagon, after weeks of threats of conflict and as diplomatic efforts failed. Waves of large explosions blasted the Iranian capital of Tehran around 9 am local time.
US strikes were carried out by attack plans from US bases and aircraft around the region.
The Israeli military said it struck about 500 targets throughout Iran this morning, including strikes targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Other top regime and military leaders were targeted. According to Reuters, several senior Islamic Republic Revolutionary Guards commanders and politicians were eliminated, including Gen. Mohammad Pakpour and the defense minister, Amir Nasirzadeh.
There was reported smoke and damage at the high-security compound of Khamenei.
US President Donald Trump had vowed to retaliate against the Iranian regime, which, a few weeks ago, attempted to bury the truth about Iranian protesters’ deaths at the hands of their government, eliminate Iran’s nuclear program, and bring about regime change.
The New York Times recently reported on Iranian doctors who risked their lives to treat protesters targeted by the regime during January’s violent crackdown. Medical workers described being threatened and arrested for providing care to Iranians, and dozens of doctors had been detained. Trump had promised to help Iranians against the regime, saying, “help is on its way.”
On Saturday, Trump posted an eight-minute video on Truth Social, “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.” He continued: “Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.” The aim of the strike is “freedom of Iranians.”
Since the initial US-Israeli assault, multiple sirens alerting to Iranian ballistic missiles have sounded across Israel, sending the country to shelters. At least 40 ballistic missiles were fired from Iran at Israel, according to the IDF. There have been reported injuries in Israel and in Iran. Since the 12-day war with Iran, Israelis have been anxiously waiting for renewed conflict with Iran.
The strategic Strait of Hormuz was shut down due to the fighting, being one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Flights across the Middle East have been suspended at least until Monday.
The UN called the US-Israel strikes as “unlawful” because they were launched without the cooperation of the UN Security Council.
This is a developing story.