The United States and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran overnight with the goal of destroying the country’s military capabilities and promoting regime change, according to President Trump.
Iran is certain to retaliate, and some US officials have expressed concern about beginning such a fight without a clear plan for how it will finish.
President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun “major combat operations in Iran.”
He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint attack with the U.S. was to “remove an existential threat posed” by Iran.
Iran currently has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile program, limiting its range to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles).
That puts all the Middle East and some of eastern Europe within reach.
There is no public evidence of Iran seeking to have intercontinental ballistic missiles, though Washington has criticized its space program as potentially allowing it to one day.
