Note: The original headline has been UPDATED to reflect new information.
This is a gift article from The New York Times: Live Updates: Trump Announces ‘Major Combat Operations’ in Iran
In his taped remarks, President Trump urged the Iranian people to “take over your government” once the military action is completed.
“This will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said. “For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let’s see how you respond.”
Reluctantly, here is a link to Trump’s announcement.
Reuters is reporting:
The Israeli operation against Iran on Saturday was coordinated with the U.S., an Israeli defence official told Reuters.
The operation was planned for months and the launch date was decided weeks ago, the official added.
The Israel Defense Force has dubbed the attack Operation Lion’s Roar. Israel’s June attack on Iran was was called Operation Rising Lion. This derives from a verse in the Hebrew Bible’s book of Numbers: (23:24)
“Behold, a people shall rise up like a lioness, and lift themselves up like a lion…”
This verse is part of the speech of the non-Israelite prophet Balaam blessing Israel as he foretells the nation’s strength and determination. Shortly before the military campaign began, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly placed a handwritten note quoting this very verse at the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem—a traditional place to leave prayer notes—which later became public and was connected to the choice of name for the operation.
A live stream from MeidasTouch:
Patrick Wintour at The Guardian:
Iran’s foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the attacks as a violation of the UN charter and calling on all states, especially Islamic states, to condemn America’s aggression firmly and for the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to assume his responsibilities.The statement said: “
At a time when the great test of history has arrived, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, inspired by the great epic heritage of this land and relying on God almighty, with faith in the promise of divine victory and relying on national power, will not hesitate to defend our beloved homeland with all their might.
“History is proof that Iranians have never surrendered to foreign aggression; this time too, the response of the Iranian nation will be decisive and will make the aggressors regret their criminal act.”
The ministry said the Iranian people would be proud that they had tried to do all they could to prevent the criminal aggression through diplomacy
(End of update)
•••••••
News outlets, including the AP, are reporting:
Israel launched a daylight strike on Iran’s capital Saturday. It happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was there at the time. For days, he hasn’t been seen publicly as tensions with the United States have grown.
The attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.
Tehran’s Hassan Abad Square during Israeli bombing Saturday in Iran. (Photo posted by BBC)
The Fars News Agency says it has received reports that several missiles have hit the Republic area of the Iranian capital.
Two days ago, Politico reported:
Senior advisers to President Donald Trump would prefer Israel strike Iran before the United States launches an assault on the country, according to two people familiar with ongoing discussions.
These Trump administration officials are privately arguing that an Israeli attack would trigger Iran to retaliate, helping muster support from American voters for a U.S. strike.
he calculus is a political one — that more Americans would stomach a war with Iran if the United States or an ally were attacked first. Recent polling shows that Americans, and Republicans in particular, support regime change in Iran, but are unwilling to risk any U.S. casualties to achieve it. That means Trump’s team is considering the optics of how an attack is conducted in addition to other justifications — such as Iran’s nuclear program.
“There’s thinking in and around the administration that the politics are a lot better if the Israelis go first and alone and the Iranians retaliate against us, and give us more reason to take action,” said one of the people familiar with discussions. Both individuals were granted anonymity to describe private conversations.
See my Feb. 25 analysis and commentary: If Trump goes all in against Iran, it would fulfill the neoconservatives' fondest dream.
