The first day of a joint military operation involving the United States and Israel against Iran was eventful.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, one of several targets in the attacks, was killed, according to US President Donald Trump, Israeli media and Iranian state television. Unclear beyond that is how many other Iranian leaders may be dead due to the attacks that started around mid-morning Iranian time.
Numerous military targets were fired upon through the day. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Iranian missiles and production capabilities will be destroyed, as will the Iranian navy.
Iran responded by firing missiles against the US Navy Fifth Fleet service center in Bahrain, as well as Israel and US military bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Other sources said Iranian missiles went to Jordan and Kuwait as well, according to ABC News. The US says it intercepted several missiles through the day, as did UAE.
Off the battlefield, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told members of the Gang of 8, bipartisan House and Senate leaders and House and Senate intelligence committee chairs and ranking members, about the attack. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says “the administration has to make its case to the American people.” Separately, Senator Tim Kaine asked the Senate to return to Washington for a vote on a war powers resolution designed to limit the president’s authority to carry out war plans against Iran. President Trump also discussed the operation with leaders of UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
China and Oman expressed displeasure with the operation. Oman’s foreign minister, Bard Al Busaidi, urged the US “not to get sucked in further. This is not your war.” A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said “Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected,” adding the US should stop all military actions immediately — a step that appears highly unlikely after President Trump said the mission will continue for at least a week.
Americans abroad are being told to be cautious and follow guidance from the nearest US embassy or consulate with travel disruptions possible. Travelers are also told to join the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for updates on security alerts.
5:45 am Saturday: US, Israel begin joint military operation against Iran
“Major combat operations” have started in Iran.
President Donald Trump has confirmed a joint operation between the United States and Israel against Iranian military and government sites, involving missile strikes from US warships as part of what the US is calling “Operation Epic Fury” and the Israelis are calling “Roar of the Lion.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s Ministry of the Interior says the attack has “violated all international laws and during negotiations, once again violated our beloved homeland.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, meanwhile, says it is now targeting the US Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, as well as other US bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Hours before the attack started, Kansas Second District Congressman Derek Schmidt had his monthly appearance on KVOE’s Morning Show to talk about several policy points discussed by the president in his State of the Union speech, including relations with Iran.
Iran has been working to develop nuclear weapons for decades. Schmidt says that can’t happen.
Trump says this operation could last several days. Like Schmidt, Trump says Iran — the “world’s number one state sponsor of terror” — should never reach its goal of having nuclear weapons and he called on the people of Iran to “take over your government” once this military operation is over.
Get more on this developing story through KVOE’s national and international news partner, ABC News.
