Windsor Johnston

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.

The United States and Israel are carrying out airstrikes against Iran.

NPR has learned a source briefed on the matter that indicates that Ayatollah Khomeini was hit in the strikes.

In a video posted on social media, President Trump said U.S.

forces had begun what he described as major combat operations inside the country.

He said the objective is to defend the American people by eliminating what he calls imminent threats from the Iranian regime.

Israel has declared a 48-hour state of emergency across the region.

Air raid sirens have been sounding across Israel throughout the day, with authorities warning civilians to enter bomb shelters.

The U.S.

and Israel say the goal is to help Iranians topple their regime.

A person briefed on the operation tells NPR that Iran's top leaders are among the targets, as NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.

The attacks on Iran hit a school, killing at least 53 young female students.

That's according to Iran's state-run news agency.

NPR's Aya Batraoui has more.

That's NPR's Aya Batraoui.

This is NPR.

President Trump says the United States is in talks with Cuba and raised the possibility of what he called a friendly takeover of the island.

Trump told reporters Secretary of State Marco Rubio is speaking with Cuban leaders at a very high level.

The comments come as Cuba confirms communication with the U.S.

following a deadly shooting involving a Florida-registered speedboat near the island.