US and Israel begin illegal military operations in Iran

Israel claims to have killed Iran’s supreme leader; 85 killed in a strike on girl’s elementary school in southern Iranian town

On Saturday morning, the US and Israel launched an ongoing illegal joint military operation in Iran. This act of war targeted members of Iran’s leadership, but it is unclear at the moment who and how many have been killed.

President Donald Trump has called for the takeover of the country’s government and has claimed to kill a majority of the Iranian leadership.

“Bombs will be dropped everywhere,” Trump said.

According to the Iranian Red Crescent, these illegal strikes have killed more than 200 people and injured over 740. These strikes hit 24 provinces in Iran, with fears of more attacks to come.

Smoke has been seen coming from the capital as part of the strikes, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive as far as he knows. However, hours later, Israel claimed to have killed Khamenei, claims which have not been independently substantiated as this is written.

“We feel that is a correct story,” Trump said in response to these claims.

Several districts in Tehran have been hit, with several missiles striking the Jomhouri area of the capital and University Street. Other news agencies in Iran report the strikes killed at least two students in a school east of the capital. Iran’s national security council has urged its residents to evacuate amid fears of escalation from the US and Israel.  

This marks the second illegal attack on the Islamic Republic, and comes weeks after a US military operation that illegally abducted Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro. Both of these attacks come without congressional approval.

Iran has responded to the latest strikes with military operations targeting Israel, and US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Missiles and drones targeting Israel were intercepted, with no serious injuries reported. 

Smoke has been seen rising from buildings in Abu Dhabi after the UAE said it intercepted missiles from Iran. State media said a shrapnel from these missiles killed one person. 

These attacks come after unsuccessful talks between the US and Iran held in Switzerland and Oman. In an effort to justify the illegal attacks, Trump said Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program, despite claiming the last illegal strike on Iran “obliterated” its nuclear program.