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Officials at US Central Command reported 3 U.S. Service members were killed in action and 5 seriously wounded. Several others have been injured but are expected to return to duty. Major combat operations will continue. Central Command will contact next of kin over the next 24 hours.
At least 9 Israelis killed and more than 20 Israelis have been injured, after an Iranian ballistic missile slammed into a residential area. Emergency responders are searching for survivors amid building debris and a fire was reported in the rubble according to a Fox report.
Israel Defense Forces say they continue to launch air strikes in the heart of Tehran on Sunday.
Iran has confirmed that its Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei, has been killed in Operation Epic Fury. Khamenei was among 40 Iranian officials and leaders killed.
The Iranian state news agency confirmed that its leader had been killed in US and Israeli raids on Iran.
And on Truth Social during the day Saturday US time, President Donald Trump wrote, "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!”
Trump also confirmed that dozens of other top Iranian officials have been killed in the strike. There has been no confirmation from Iran, but the country is launching missile sat Israel, with warning sirens going off in cities like Tel Aviv.
Meantime, according to multiple news organizations, social media and eyewitness accounts spontaneous celebrations are underway in the streets of the Iranian capital.
The United States and Israel launched 'Operation Epic Fury,' a massive, coordinated military strike against Iran, targeting central Tehran and key government districts early Saturday. The military operation comes after talks between the US and Iran failed to produce a deal in Geneva this week.
President Trump spoke about the operation early Saturday morning.
“A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating eminent threats from the Iranian regime. A vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world. For forty seven years, the Iranian regime has chanted death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops, and the innocent people in many, many countries."
Trump added that, the Iranians "attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe."
The strikes come less than a year after Operation Midnight Hammer, which disrupted the Iranian nuclear program. They also come one day after Ambassador Mike Huckabee told non-essential staff to leave the US embassy in Jerusalem.
Trump issued a direct ultimatum to the Iranian military to lay down their arms or "face certain death," while simultaneously calling on the Iranian people to "seize control of your destiny," asserting that the hour of their freedom is at hand.
The strikes began during the first day of the Iranian work week, with three massive explosions reported by the semiofficial Fars news agency. Thick smoke is currently rising from the district housing the Supreme Leader’s residence and the presidential palace. US officials indicate this operation will be significantly more extensive than the strikes conducted last June.
Israel is under a nationwide state of emergency and Israeli airports have suspended all civilian flights. Air-raid sirens are currently sounding across Israel as the country braces for potential Iranian retaliation.
Other countries in the Middle East have been brought into the conflict.
Several American military bases in the Mideast have come under attack. Air raid sirens are also sounding in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa as many Iranian missiles are being intercepted by the Israeli Defense Forces. Dubai is also under attack from the Iranians. US bases in several Gulf states and Jordan have also been targeted by Iranian missiles.
In Iran itself, there is significant damage and unconfirmed reports of civilian casualties.
Airspace is closed until further notice in Israel, Dubai, Kuwait and Jordan.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman supports the operation, in an effort to eliminate the reign of terror. "Iran massacred 30,000 of their own people, right now, this war is not about the Iranian people, it's about this poisonous regime. That's why I'm proud to stand with our military. I'm proud to stand with Israel too." He said. Fetterman added sometimes you have to take necessary steps to get to peace.
President Trump urges the people of Iran to take over their own government, because they may never have this opportunity for generations to come.
Texas Governor Greg Abbot issued a statement, "Texas stands with President Trump in sending a clear message to Iran: Its aggression toward America and the West will not be tolerated. The Iranian people deserve to be free from the radical dictatorship that has held them captive for too long." Abbot said.
Delta Airlines has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv through Sunday following the news of the military operation. The airline is currently offering waivers for passengers booked through March. There are widespread airspace closures reported across the Middle East region.