Early Saturday, the United States launched what it called “major combat operations” against Iran, alongside Israel.
Washington named the campaign Operation Epic Fury, while Israel referred to it as Lion’s Roar.
The strikes came just two days after US-Iran talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme ended without any agreement. Shortly after the attacks began, the US openly urged Iranians to rise up against their clerical leadership.
Iran later confirmed that its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, along with several senior officials, had been killed. State television announced 40 days of national mourning.
In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks across the Middle East. Its foreign minister described the US-Israeli assault as “unprovoked and illegal”.
Casualties so far
The violence has caused heavy loss of life on all sides.
US Central Command said three American service members were killed and five seriously injured in Kuwait. Several others suffered minor injuries.
Inside Iran, the Red Crescent reported more than 200 deaths and over 700 injuries. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in southern Iran, where an explosion at a school killed at least 165 people, including children, according to state media.
In Israel, nine people were killed when an Iranian missile struck a synagogue bomb shelter in Beit Shemesh. Another missile hit central Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring at least 20 others.
Iran also targeted countries hosting US forces, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Authorities said one person was killed and 11 injured after strikes near airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Read More
Did Trump need Congress’ approval?
In a video address, US President Donald Trump described the strikes as “major combat operations”.
While the US Constitution gives United States Congress the power to declare war, presidents have long used their authority to order military action without formal approval.
Republicans largely supported the move, while Democrats accused Trump of bypassing Congress and pushing the country toward war. Calls for a new war-powers resolution have resurfaced, though it is unlikely to pass.
Why the US attacked Iran
Trump accused Iran of conducting a long campaign of violence against the US and its allies. He claimed Tehran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions and was developing missiles capable of threatening Europe and possibly the US mainland.
He also pointed to past events, including the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis and the 1983 bombing of a US Marine barracks in Beirut.
Trump said earlier US strikes last year had destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities and helped end a brief but intense conflict between Iran and Israel.
What happens next?
US officials say there are no plans for ground troops in Iran. Instead, the operation is expected to continue as an air and naval campaign. The US currently has 30,000–40,000 troops stationed across the Middle East and two aircraft carriers in the region.
So far, there is no evidence Iran is preparing a direct attack on the US mainland, though major American cities remain on high alert.
