Israel and America finally attack Iran

 

TEHRAN – Israel launched a “pre‑emptive” strike on Iran on Saturday, followed by a major United States military operation, reigniting confrontation in the Middle East and further diminishing the chances of a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s nuclear dispute with the West.

Two US officials told Reuters that the US military had begun a series of strikes on multiple targets in Iran through air and naval operations.

The exact scale remains unclear, but the campaign is expected to last several days. An Iranian official said the country was preparing a major retaliation.

According to Reuters, President Donald Trump, who had earlier strengthened the US military presence in the region to pressure Iran in nuclear negotiations, described the operation as “large and ongoing” and reaffirmed his commitment to preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

He also highlighted Iran’s ballistic missile programme and threatened to destroy its missile industry. “Our goal is to protect the American people by eliminating the direct threat from the Iranian regime,” he said.

Sources said Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been moved to a secure location outside Tehran. The strikes follow a 12‑day air war in June between Israel and Iran, as well as repeated warnings from the US and Israel regarding Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes.

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said the strikes were carried out to eliminate threats to the country.

The operation was reportedly planned for months in coordination with Washington. Explosions were reported in Tehran, while sirens sounded in Israel in anticipation of retaliatory attacks.

The Israeli government closed schools, non‑essential workplaces, and its airspace to civilian flights.

Diplomatic efforts that resumed briefly in February between the US and Iran aimed to ease tensions.

However, Israel demanded the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and restrictions on its missile programme.

Iran said it was willing to discuss nuclear limits in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, but rejected linking the issue to missiles.

Tehran insisted it would defend itself and warned countries hosting US forces that American bases could become targets if Washington attacked.

In June, Iran responded to earlier strikes by launching missiles at the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Western countries argue that Iran’s ballistic missile programme threatens regional stability and could potentially carry nuclear warheads, an accusation Tehran denies