Israel and the US launched what they called a “preemptive strike” against Iran on the morning of 28 February, plunging the region into chaos as Tehran launched counter strikes that also targeted American military bases across the Gulf. Tensions persist as the string of strikes and counter-strikes continues.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attack, Iran had confirmed Sunday, after which Alireza Arafi was picked as the interim successor. Arafi has been appointed the jurist member of the temporary leadership council to fulfill the Supreme Leader’s role.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had first announced the strike Saturday that many believed was a long time in making, with the White House stepping up pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme.
US President Donald Trump described the military action as “massive and ongoing”, and plainly called for a regime change. He urged Iranians to “take over your government” and accused Tehran of working to rebuild its nuclear programme. Tehran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only. Iran’s state media said the country was preparing for “a crushing response”.
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US, Israel strike Iran | LIVE UPDATES
09.50 am: What Trump said on US entry into Iran conflict
US President Donald Trump has said that he ordered US forces to join Israel’s attack on Iran because he believed Iran was about to strike first.
This is in contrast to what Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told reporters Monday—that US launched the attack because of fears that Iran would retaliate in response to planned Israeli action against Tehran.
Trump rejected suggestions that Israel pushed the US into the conflict, as his administration gave varying accounts and faced criticism from some supporters and Democrats who accused him of launching a “war of choice”.
“I might have forced their (Israel’s) hand,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office as he met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “We were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they were going to attack first. If we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that.”
09.10 am: Israel launches new strikes on Iran, Lebanon
Explosions were heard in Tehran and Beirut overnight with Israel launching another round of strikes.
09.00 am: US embassy in Dubai struck by drones
Clouds of smoke were seen after a drone attack on the US consulate in Dubai started a fire. US embassies in Kuwait and Riyadh have also been struck over the past couple days.