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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it has begun “the first wave of extensive missile and drone attacks” against Israel, with reports suggesting that United States bases across the Gulf were also targeted in response to the attack on the Islamic Republic that began on the morning of February 28.
In a statement, the guards said that the attacks come “in response to the hostile and criminal enemy’s aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Israel was first to announce the attack on Iran, with Hebrew media reporting the start of “Operation Lion’s Roar.” The U.S. Department of War followed up by announcing “Operation Epic Fury.” Iran, from its side, is reported to have codenamed its retaliatory operation “True Promise IV”.
Hebrew media reported that several ballistic missiles have been launched from Iran at Israel, with no immediate reports of impacts or injuries. Sirens sounded across northern and southern Israel.
While the guards only announced an attack on Israel, it became quickly clear that Iran also launched strikes against U.S. bases in the Gulf.
The U.S. Naval Support Activity in the Bahraini capital, Manama, was directly hit. Videos from there show multiple large blasts.
Additionally, Qatari media reported the interception of at least one missile launched from Iran. The target was likely Al Udeid Air Base near the capital, Doha, which the Islamic Republic managed to hit during the 12-day June war with Israel last year.
Other interceptions were reported over Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Al Dhafra Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces, is located to the south of the city. Blasts were reported there, but they were likely caused by successful interceptions.
More blasts were heard in Kuwait, mainly near Ali Al Salem Air Base in the province of Jahra, where U.S. forces are also located. There were also reports of attacks on Saudi Arabia and Jordan, although these claims are yet to be confirmed by any credible source.
Declaring war on Iran earlier in the morning, President Donald Trump said that the U.S. is working to destroy the missile program and navy of the Islamic Republic.
“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally obliterated again. We are going to annihilate their navy,” Trump said.
“We are going to ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces,” the president continued.
“And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It’s a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon,” he added.
In an eight-minute video, Trump also called on the people of Iran to rise up and overthrow their government once the war is over.
“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” Trump said.
“For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it… So let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force,” he continued.
“Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass,” he added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from his side, made a very similar call in a video statement announcing the start of the war on Iran.
“This murderous terror regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity,” Netanyahu said.
“Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands,” the primer continued.
“The time has come for all parts of the Iranian people — the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baloch, and the Ahwazi — to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran,” he added.
In its first briefing on the war, the Israeli military said that “dozens of military targets, and were carried out as part of a wide, coordinated, and joint offensive against the regime.”
The military added that the “joint, broad, and powerful operation” with the U.S. is “aimed at a thorough strike against the Iranian terror regime and at eliminating existential threats to the State of Israel over time.” Persian media reported blasts all over the Islamic Republic, but details remain scarce with the internet very much shut down.
In addition to the strikes on Iran itself, there were reports of strikes — believed to have been carried out by Israel — against Jurf Sakhar near the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces are known to be based in the area. Casualties were reported by Iraqi media.
Adding to the regional spillover of the ongoing war, AP reported that the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen had decided to resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and on Israel in support of Iran. One of the officials said that the rebels’ first attack could come as soon as “tonight.”
All in all, the initial retaliation by Iran is guaranteed to turn the war into a regional conflict. This was likely expected by both the U.S. and Israel.
Arab countries that came under attack could join the war on the Islamic Republic by launching their own separate military operations. With Washington and Tel Aviv eyeing regime change, Tehran likely had no other option but to fulfill its threats and attack everywhere it could reach.
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questa volta andrà male a stati uniti e israele e non ci proveranno più bisogna fermarli una volta per tutte.
the arab monarchies should feel pain for being whores of babylon, but best is reserved for israel. a ussa aircraft carrier hit would be great news. trumpstein sacrificed his worthless career for the jews. that is how he will be remember. a waste of oxygen
you just need to take out the runway on carriers, then they are useless. planes cannot take off or land. blow a big hold on the runway, or hit planes with cluster munitions to put them all out of service
can be repaired in weeks. a coral reef cannot.
a suicide bomb strike in the us itself will cause fear to trump. iran sleeper agents should strike schools, universities and major cities causing wide spread casualties. if iran is smart, they will focus on this.
there is a chance china may see this as an opportunity to bleed the two zionist countries as the globalists have bled russia in their proxy war. with china providing material support to iran america could potentially have catastrophic losses leading to uncontrolled escalation .