[ATTACK] US, Israel Launch Strikes on Iran

The U.S. and Israel have launched strikes against Iran after weeks of talks bore no resolution on Iran’s nuclear program.

The strikes are implicitly aimed at attempting to change Iran’s regime, as U.S. president Donald Trump urged Iranians to “take over [their] government.”

U.S. attacks were reported in the capital Tehran as well as major cities Isfahan, Shiraz, and Tabriz. Further attacks occurred around Iranian oil-refining infrastructure near the Persian Gulf. At least 40 people have died.

Trump used the word “war” to describe the conflict and said that there might be U.S. casualties. Despite this, the strikes were done without authorization from the U.S. Congress, who legally is the only government body with the permission to declare wars.

Iran has launched counter strikes against Israel, U.S. bases in the region, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. These strikes have consisted of missiles and drones, including the now-infamous Shahed kamikaze drones seen in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The attack is causing upheaval in the Middle East, as an EU mission to the Red Sea warns that the Houthi militant group in Yemen might resume attacks on Red Sea shipping. Furthermore flights throughout the region have been impacted.

Sources:

1. AP News — Live updates: US and Israel launch attack on Iran
2. NPR — Iran strikes were launched without approval from Congress, deeply dividing lawmakers
3. X — EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES)