By: Kazeem Adeleke, Faith Nkwoukwa & Okechukwu D. Okechukwu
The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran early Saturday following what Israeli officials described as months of close joint planning.
According to Israeli military sources, the operation targeted senior Iranian leadership figures, including the country’s supreme leader, president, and head of the armed forces. U.S. officials indicated the campaign could extend over several days.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the military action as “massive and ongoing,” warning that American lives could be at risk. He also called on Iranians to “take over your government” and accused Tehran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program following U.S. strikes last summer that he had previously claimed destroyed key facilities. Iranian authorities maintain that their nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes.
In response, Iran launched what officials described as an unprecedented wave of retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and U.S. linked positions across the Middle East. Explosions were reported in multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The escalating exchange has significantly heightened regional tensions and raised concerns of a broader Middle East conflict
