The U.S. and Israel conducted attacks on Iran early Saturday after weeks of negotiations and the biggest military build-up since the war in Iraq.
The airstrikes follow the 12 Day War last June, when the U.S. joined Israel’s air campaign to target Tehran’s nuclear facilities.
While President Donald Trump had reportedly considered limited attacks on the regime, sources told CNN that the U.S. involvement was “not a small strike.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done “to remove threats,” according to the Associated Press.
Since early January, the U.S. has moved enormous military assets to the region, including two aircraft carriers, several destroyers armed with guided missiles, fighters, bombers, and air-defense systems.
At the same time, Trump dispatched envoys to engage in indirect talks with Iran, demanding the country stop uranium enrichment as well as its ballistic-missile program.
Trump had initially warned Iran last month again killing protestors calling for the end of the regime, but since then he has sounded alarms about Tehran rebuilding its nuclear capabilities.
The latest U.S. strike on Iran represents a wider offensive compared to its June attacks that hit a few nuclear sites.
That’s despite Arab Mideast allies urging Washington to hold off on new attacks as Iran has indicated it would retaliate more aggressively this time.
Domestic backlash against the U.S. attack on Iran was swift after some members of Congress sought a vote on authorization for military action.
“Acts of war unauthorized by Congress,” said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., on X.
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