As per several American media reports, the United States started carrying out strikes on Iran earlier in the day, in what is being called a joint operation on Iran with Israel
The US and Israel conducted air and sea strikes against Iran on Saturday. The strikes are ongoing, according to a report by Reuters.
As per several American media reports, the United States started carrying out strikes on Iran earlier in the day, in what is being called a joint operation on Iran with Israel.
The United States had already deployed aircraft carriers, fighter jets, guided-missile destroyers and other capabilities to West Asia in recent weeks.
It includes two of the largest US warships – the Gerald R. Ford and the Abraham Lincoln.
The Ford is the United States’ newest and the world’s largest carrier. It has a nuclear reactor on board and can hold more than 75 military aircraft. It also includes sophisticated radar that can help control air traffic and navigation.
The Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered carrier which can hold some 90 military aircraft, moved to the region from the Asia-Pacific in January.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel has been placed under an “immediate state of emergency.” The development comes after the US and Iran failed to reach an agreement in the recently held Geneva talks.
“The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country,” read a statement from his ministry.
What has Trump said?
Trump has now commented on the Iran strikes. In a video posted on social media, he said:
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“A short time ago the U.S. military began major combat operations in Iran.”
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“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
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Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon.”
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“We sought repeatedly to make a deal.”
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Iran “attempted to rebuild their nuclear programme.”
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Iran is developing long range missiles that threaten the U.S. and others.
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“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.”
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“We’re going to annihilate their navy.
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“We will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.”
With inputs from agencies
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