U.S. and Israel Launch Major Attack on Iran, Supreme Leader Reportedly Killed
VERIFIED ✓The United States has launched "major combat operations" in Iran, joined by Israel, President Donald Trump announced today, marking a dramatic escalation in Middle East tensions. Israel targeted Iranian political and military leaders while the U.S. aimed to take out Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
The Iranian Red Crescent reported that more than 200 people have been killed and roughly 700 others have been injured following the attacks. Trump told NBC News regarding reports of the Ayatollah's death: "We feel that that is a correct story", though this remains unconfirmed by independent sources.
Iran is preparing for a retaliation that is set to be "crushing" and to "take revenge" on Israel and deliver a "strong response". A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that "all American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become a legitimate target". Iran has already unleashed strikes on U.S. military bases, Israel and other targets across the Middle East, disrupting air travel and oil shipments.
Trump urged Iranians to "take over your government" when the strikes are over, telling them "The hour of your freedom is at hand". A senior administration official said they believed Iran was preparing to potentially launch preemptive missile strikes, influencing Trump's decision to initiate military action.
The strikes come despite diplomatic talks held in Geneva on Thursday between Iranian negotiators and U.S. special envoys that appeared to have gone well. Despite Trump's assertion about imminent threats, U.S. officials have not publicly presented evidence that Iran was on the verge of deploying a nuclear weapon.