US/Israeli Strikes Iran, Iran Retaliates on Israel and other Middle East Countries
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What led to the U.S. and Israel launching strikes on Iran?
After weeks of military buildup, the U.S. and Israel have launched a major combat operation in Iran.
It's a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon.
I'm Aisha Roscoe.
And I'm Scott Simon, and this is Up First from NPR News. The Defense Department calls this mission Operation Epic Fury and has targeted Iran's leadership. President Trump is calling on the Iranian people to, quote, take over your government. In a moment, details from NPR's Greg Myhre.
Iran has retaliated by launching a missile attack on Israel. Israel's air defense systems are responding. We'll hear from our correspondents in the Middle East.
So please stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your weekend.
Large explosions were reported in Tehran as the U.S.-Israeli military operation in Iran began early Saturday morning. It followed weeks of escalating tension in the Middle East.
And Paranational Security Correspondent Greg Myrie is with us. Thanks for being with us, Greg. Hi, Scott. And what can you tell us about this military operation?
Well, first of all, this is a massive operation, and that's based on the extent of the initial strikes and in the way President Trump is describing this. There was a lot of speculation beforehand whether he might opt for a short, sharp attack or a longer one. The initial impression is that the president chose to go very big. These strikes began after sunrise in Iran. Huge explosions rang out in the capital, Tehran. Iranians posted videos on social media that showed large plumes of thick smoke. There are preliminary reports of strikes in many parts of Iran, though we don't have word on the full extent of damage on specific targets like the country's nuclear facilities. President Trump posted this eight-minute video on Truth Social.
Here's part of it.
Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.
Greg, did the president offer any details about the operation itself?
A bit. He said the U.S. would destroy Iran's missile program and its navy.
How did Iran respond to the military operation?
So these are parts of the Iranian military that could hit U.S. ships or military bases in the region. So it makes sense that they'd be a priority in the early days of the campaign. Now, he also said Iran was rebuilding its nuclear program, the same one he said the U.S. obliterated last year. And nuclear analysts have said they haven't seen that rebuilding yet. but it's something President Trump keeps citing. What does Iran say today? Yeah, the foreign ministry calls the airstrikes a gross violation of its national sovereignty. The statement said the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes hit both military and civilian targets. Iran said it will defend itself, adding that schools and universities will be closed, and it warned Iranians to avoid crowded areas.
Before the strikes began, the president didn't say much about what his ultimate goal might be in Iran. But that's changed today, hasn't it?
Yeah, that's right, Scott. And really, the most striking part of his video came right near the end when he spoke directly to the Iranian people. He said, you know, they said, stay inside and shelter now. Bombs would be falling everywhere. But then he added, quote, when we are finished. take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. So this is really hugely significant. He's encouraging Iranians to directly confront the very same government that killed thousands of demonstrators in mass street protests just last month. Now, Trump is explicitly calling for regime change. He's not describing a limited operation, and he wants Iranians themselves to oust the Islamic clerical regime that's ruled for 47 years.
One final point, though, we should stress that there's no sign the U.S. will send ground troops into Iran, and it's not clear how much the U.S. will weaken the government with air power alone. So at this stage, it's just impossible to say whether the leadership might be vulnerable to the kind of domestic uprising that Trump is calling for.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What led to the U.S. and Israel launching strikes on Iran?
0:02–2:30
2
How did Iran respond to the military operation?
2:30–5:12
3
What details were revealed about the military operation in Iran?
5:12–11:02
4
What are the implications of President Trump's message to the Iranian people?
11:02–13:51
Speakers
6 identifiedMore from Up First from NPR
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