U.S. and Israel attacked Iran

The US and Israel launched a strike operation against Iran at the beginning of the week, calling it a 'preemptive' move to eliminate a threat, announced Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Israel's Ministry of Defense stated that the military attacked hundreds of Iranian military targets, including missile installations in the west of the country; the operation was named 'Roar of the Lion'. At the same time, American forces began 'large-scale combat operations' against Iran's nuclear and missile program, as declared by President Trump. The US strikes did not receive Congressional approval, confirmed Thomas Massie. The Pentagon named the operation 'Epic Wrath', during which Tomahawk missiles were used. According to The Wall Street Journal, the US and Israel plan to carry out several strikes in the coming days.

As a result of the attacks, the presidential complex in Tehran and the residence of Khamenei were reportedly destroyed, but the supreme leader and the Iranian president remained unharmed, stated Araghchi. According to Reuters, some personnel in the Russian military may have been killed, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and the commander of the IRGC. The strikes also caused civilian casualties: a girls' elementary school in Minab was destroyed, and more than 15 people died in a gymnasium, reported Mehr and IRIB news agencies.

Iran's countermove included launching hypersonic missiles, and US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia came under missile attacks. In Dubai, a missile landed near the Fairmont The Palm hotel.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called the attack on Iran 'reckless', accused it of escalating the conflict, and called for a resolution to the situation.

Context

Last year, Israel had already conducted strikes on Iranian military facilities as part of efforts to ensure regional security.