Reported explosions as US, Israel strike Iran
The U.S. and Israel struck Iran as explosions rock Tehran during stalled nuclear talks and growing military tensions.
The United States launched military strikes and “major combat operations” against Iran on Feb. 28, President Donald Trump said, targeting the country’s missile capabilities.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” Trump said, calling the strikes “a massive and ongoing operation.”
Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and its president, Masoud Pezeshkian, were both direclty targeted in airstrikes, a Middle Eastern official familiar with the matter told USA TODAY. Khamenei’s fate was unknown.
Why did US attack Iran?
The U.S. attacked Iran to ensure it does not get nuclear weapon, Trump said.
The U.S. would “destroy” Iran’s missiles, “annihilate” its navy and ensure its proxy groups are no longer able to attack American forces and destabilize the region, Trump said.
“And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.”
“This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces,” Trump said.
Did Iran attack us? What happened in Bahrain?
Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes against American and Israeli targets after the joint U.S.-Israeli attack, hitting a U.S. Navy base in Bahrain. Iran said its enemies would be “decisively defeated.”
Explosions were reported in Bahrain’s capital, home to U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, according to Bahrain’s state media news agency. It said, citing Bahrain’s National Communication Center, that the “service center” of the Fifth Fleet was subjected to a missile attack.
It wasn’t immediately clear what specific role the service center plays for the 5th Fleet, where the U.S. has its largest Middle East naval presence. A spokesperson for the fleet did not immediately respond to a clarification request. Earlier, the U.S. embassy in Bahrain urged U.S. nationals there to shelter in place.
Are we at war with Iran?
President Donald Trump did not ask Congress for permission to begin “major combat operations” in Iran.
Formal declarations of war take congressional approval. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 (also called the War Powers Act) restricts the U.S. President’s ability to commit armed forces to combat without congressional approval. It requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and mandates their removal within 60 to 90 days unless Congress declares war or authorizes an extension.
Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) and Ro Khanna (D-California) will continue their efforts to force a vote in the House next week on a resolution to block U.S. military action against Iran without Congressional authorization.
Operation Epic Fury
The Pentagon said on Saturday that U.S. strikes against Iran were named “OPERATION EPIC FURY.” Israel called its part in the air assault “Roaring Lion.”
Check USA TODAY’s live coverage to learn more about the attacks in the Middle East.