President Donald Trump has finally done it. After promising to come to the aid of the Iranian people after nationwide demonstrations broke out at the end of December, the U.S. has launched a war to target not only Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile stocks, and navy, but the leadership of the regime itself. It’s the biggest gamble of Trump’s presidency thus far—for better or worse.
The compound of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly been turned into rubble. The Times of Israel reports that Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has also been targeted by Israeli air strikes. Unverified reports circulating on social media have also claimed top generals in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have also been targeted, including its top commander, Mohammad Pakpour, according to Israeli broadcaster N12. Already, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and U.S. military bases in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
In the closing of an eight-minute address to the world posted in the early hours of Saturday morning, Trump made a direct appeal to the Iranian people. “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said. “Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations.”
