Daniel Estrin
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I spoke to a person briefed on the operation who said that Israel did try to assassinate Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and the Iranian president as well.
Netanyahu said that Israel has been targeting regime figures, also sites of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and the besieged paramilitary forces.
And he said Israel, together with the U.S., was striking ballistic missile sites.
Well, first of all, the Israeli military says that it's going to be calling up about 70,000 reservist soldiers and fortifying its borders, especially along the Lebanese and Syrian borders, because there's a lot of concern here that Iran's proxy militia, Hezbollah, could join in in the retaliation, firing rockets or even storming the border into Israel like Hamas did on October 7th, 2023.
You're very welcome.
A person briefed on the operation tells NPR that Israel has targeted Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and the Iranian president, Masoud Pazeshkian, trying to assassinate them.
An Israeli military official would not comment, but said Israel's opening salvo against Iran targeted high-profile figures.
He said Israel would be calling up about 70,000 reservist soldiers and fortifying protection of its borders.
The official said Iran has so far fired dozens of missiles at Israel in retaliation, with no significant hits in Israel.
The Israeli military official said Israel detected an acceleration in Iran's missile program in recent months, producing dozens of missiles monthly.
President Trump said Iran's missile industry would be destroyed.
Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
President Trump and Israel's defense minister announced strikes on Iran.
A person briefed on the operation told NPR the Israeli strikes are being conducted jointly with the U.S.
The person said the targets are Iranian government, military, and intelligence sites, and that the strikes are expected to last a few days.
Iranian government media are reporting rocket fire and blasts in parts of the capital Tehran.
Israel's defense minister announced this was a preemptive Israeli strike against Iran to remove threats to Israel.
He said missile and drone fire from Iran toward Israel was expected imminently.
Sirens wailed throughout Israel as a warning to prepare.