Tehran, Iran —(Map)
On Saturday, the US and Israel attacked Iran, killing Iran’s leader. The US says it wants to completely change Iran’s government. Iran has responded by attacking US military bases across the Middle East. There are serious concerns that the war could spread.
Working together, the US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday. The attack targeted Iran’s capital, Tehran, and several other large cities. The US said that it was focusing on military targets. Hundreds of people have died, many of them civilians.
US President Donald Trump described the attack as a “major combat operation”. Mr. Trump has offered different reasons for the attack, including preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Not all of Mr Trump’s reasons are supported by the facts. Mr Trump has made it clear that he wants Iran’s people to take control of the government.
(Source: US Navy [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Israel and Saudi Arabia encouraged Mr. Trump to attack Iran. Israel launched the first attacks on Saturday. One of its early goals was to take out Iran’s leadership. Iran’s highest leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and many other Iranian leaders were killed in the attacks.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the leader of Iran’s religious government for 36 years. He was a brutal leader who kept the country under tight control and did not allow opposition. Though some people in Iran celebrated when they learned that he had died, thousands came out to mourn him. Iran says that for now, three other leaders are working together to run the country and its military response.
Iran responded by sending missiles and drones to attack Israel. Iran has also targeted US warships and US military bases in countries across the Middle East.
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran’s religious government for 36 years, was killed in the attacks, along with many other Iranian leaders. He kept the country under tight control. Though some people in Iran celebrated when they learned that he had died, thousands came out to mourn him (above).
The attacks by US and Israel have caused widespread damage in Iran, as well as injuries and deaths. Iran claims that one attack hit a girls’ school and killed over one hundred students. Iran’s attacks in response have also caused some damage, injuries, and deaths. So far, three US soldiers have lost their lives.
The US and Israel continued to attack Iran for a second day on Sunday. Mr. Trump says the war could go on for a month or more. Mr. Trump has encouraged Iran’s soldiers to surrender, and for Iran’s people to take control of the government. It’s not clear how the US and Israel expect the war to end, or who might lead Iran once the fighting is over.
The massive attack was unusual because it wasn’t triggered by an immediate threat from Iran. It’s a war Mr. Trump chose to have now, not one that was needed to protect the US.
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The US and Israel continued to attack Iran for a second day on Sunday. Mr. Trump says the war could go on for a month or more. Many experts see the actions of the US and Israel as illegal under international law. Above, smoke from explosions in Tehran on Sunday.
Many experts see the actions of the US and Israel as illegal under international law. This isn’t the first time that this has happened. Earlier this year, the US attacked Venezuela and captured its president in a move that was largely seen as illegal.
The international response to the war on Iran has been mixed. The leader of the United Nations condemned the attacks. Many countries were unhappy with Iran’s government, but still don’t believe the attacks were okay. Other countries, such as Canada and Australia, supported the US action.
The attack also seems to go against US law, since the president doesn’t have the power to declare a war. Only the US Congress has that power. Many members of Congress are upset about Mr. Trump taking action without their approval. Congress is expected to discuss the war and Mr. Trump’s actions later this week.
Did You Know…?
There are strong concerns that the war could spread further. Already that seems to be happening. Hezbollah is a militant group based in Lebanon. It is considered a terrorist organization by the US. On Sunday, Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, and Israel has responded.
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