US and Israel launch attack on Iran; Tehran vows crushing response
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TEHRAN - Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Feb 28, and a United States attack is under way
The US military initiated a series of strikes against targets in Iran, two US officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The scope of the air and sea operations was not immediately clear. The campaign is expected to last for multiple days, said a US official.
Iran was preparing a crushing retaliation, an Iranian official told Reuters.
President Donald Trump, who built up a vast US military presence in the region
On the issue of Iran’s ballistic missile programme
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Mr Trump said.
A source told Reuters that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location.
The attack, follows a 12-day air war in June between Israel and Iran
“The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said.
Israel launched the attack against Muslim-majority Iran during Ramadan, the holy Muslim month of fasting observed from dawn to sunset.
The strike also came ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim, which traditionally commemorates the salvation of Jews from annihilation in ancient Persia and which begins on March 1.
Months of planning with US, says Israel
An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, and that the launch date was decided weeks ago.
Explosions were heard in Tehran on Feb 28, Iranian media reported, and sirens sounded across Israel around 8.15am local time in what the military said was a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of an incoming missile strike.
The Israeli military announced the closure of schools and workplaces, with exceptions for essential sectors, and a ban on public airspace.
Israel closed its airspace to civilian flights, and the airports authority asked the public not to go to any of the country’s airports.
Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran and plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital, on Feb 28 morning.
PHOTOS: AFP
The US and Iran renewed negotiations in February
Israel, however, insisted that any US deal with Iran must include the dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure, not just stopping the enrichment process, and lobbied Washington to include restrictions on Iran’s missile programme in the talks.
Iran said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions but ruled out linking the issue to missiles.
Tehran also said it would defend itself against any attack.
It warned neighbouring countries hosting US troops that it would retaliate against American bases if Washington struck Iran.
In June, the US joined an Israeli military campaign against Iranian nuclear installations, in the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic.
Tehran retaliated by launching missiles towards the US Al Udeid air base
Western powers have warned that Iran’s ballistic missile project threatens regional stability and could deliver nuclear weapons if developed. Tehran denies seeking atomic bombs. REUTERS
