Iran-Israel War: Trump asked the people of Iran to take over governance, UAE and Iraq closed their airspace

Dubai : The United States and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, prompting US President Donald Trump to call on the Iranian people to “take charge of their destiny” and rebel against the Islamist leadership that has ruled the country since 1979. Iran retaliated by targeting Israeli and US military bases in the region with missile and drone attacks. The first attack appeared to have hit areas near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Iranian media reported attacks across the country and smoke billowing from the capital, Tehran.

It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was present in his office at the time of the attacks. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that “as far as I know”, Khamenei and President Massoud Pezeshkian are alive. At the same time, while announcing the start of a “large-scale military operation”, Trump told the people of Iran through a video, “When we complete our work, take over your government.” It will be yours and you will be able to take control of it. This may be your only chance for many generations to come. For many years you have been asking for help from America, but you never got help. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reiterated this broader goal. “Our joint operation will create conditions for the brave Iranian people to take control of their future,” he said. The strikes marked the beginning of a shocking new chapter in US involvement in Iran and are the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has used military force against the Islamic Republic.

Those targeted included members of Iran’s leadership, according to a US official and another person with knowledge of the attacks. There was no immediate information whether the top officials had been killed or not. These attacks came at a time when tensions had increased significantly in recent weeks. US warships had been deployed to the area and Trump had said he wanted a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program. This is happening at a time when the situation within the country is also challenging and dissatisfaction against the government is increasing following nationwide protests.

The immediate cause of Saturday’s attacks appears to be the failure of the latest round of nuclear talks. But the attacks also reflect dramatic changes across the region that have left Iran’s leadership in its weakest position since the Islamic Revolution nearly half a century ago. The attacks by Israel and the US in June last year had significantly weakened Iran’s air defense, military leadership and nuclear program. The regional war that began as a result of the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023 has significantly weakened Iran’s proxy networks in West Asia. At the same time, American sanctions and global isolation have badly affected Iran’s economy. In response to the attacks, Iran responded as it had been threatening to do for several months. First it fired a series of missiles and drones targeting Israel. After this he attacked US military bases located in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

After this the United Arab Emirates and Iraq closed their airspace. One person was killed by sharp shrapnel from an Iranian missile in the attack on the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Government media gave this information. Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying the country “will not hesitate at all” in its response. “Now is the time to defend the motherland and face the enemy’s military attack,” the ministry said in a statement carried on ‘X’. According to the state news agency, at least 57 people were killed in the air strikes at a girls’ school. The attack took place in Minab city of Iran’s Hormozgan province where there is a base of Iran’s paramilitary force ‘Revolutionary Guard’. At least 45 other people have also been injured in this attack. The White House and the Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on reports of the school attack. The magnitude of the conflict can be gauged from the fact that flights were disrupted in West Asia on Saturday afternoon and air defense forces opened heavy fire on Dubai, the commercial capital of the UAE.

Associated Press journalists observed the after-effects of the explosion from an interceptor. Justifying the military action, Trump claimed that Iran has been continuously developing its nuclear program and is planning to build missiles that can reach the US. He also said that there could be American casualties in this conflict. “This happens often in war,” Trump said. Trump called on the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to lay down their arms and assured members that they would be protected, while warning that they would face “certain death” if they did not do so. Iranian media reported attacks across the country. Authorities closed roads leading to Khamenei’s compound in central Tehran, while explosions were heard in various parts of the capital.

Witnesses in Tehran heard the first explosion near Khamenei’s office. Iranian state television later reported the explosion, but did not specify its cause. Khamenei has not been seen in public in recent days. He was believed to have been taken to a safe location away from his home in Tehran during the 12-day war in June. An official with knowledge of the operation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Israeli operation targeted Iran’s military, government buildings and intelligence bases. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard retaliated by firing the “first round” of drones and missiles at Israel. Meanwhile, Bahrain said the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet was targeted by a missile. Saudi Arabia said in an announcement that Iran launched an attack targeting its capital and eastern region, which was foiled. Witnesses in Kuwait heard sirens and explosions. The sounds of explosions were also heard in Qatar. The US military center is located in Kuwait.

Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace, and sirens sounded in Jordan. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have decided to resume missile and drone attacks on sea routes and Israel in support of Iran. Two senior officials of the Houthi rebels said this on the condition of anonymity because there has been no official announcement from the Houthi leadership. U.S. embassies or consulates in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Israel posted on social media that they had asked staff to remain safe in their homes and advised all Americans to do so “until further notice.” Israel said that this ‘operation’ was being planned for months between Israeli and American forces. Meanwhile, Nepal asked its citizens living in West Asian countries to “remain alert, exercise caution and maintain regular contact with the community”. It also said it was closely monitoring the changing situation in the region. At the same time, Sri Lanka said that it has set up emergency hotlines and is in constant touch with its embassies located in the West Asia region in view of the war situation. Condemning “escalating military tensions” in West Asia, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Saturday that unless hostilities were immediately ended and tensions were de-escalated, it risked a wider regional conflict with serious consequences for civilians and regional stability.

Also read: Iran-Israel War: After the attack on Tehran, Iran also fired missiles at Israel, attacked 7 countries simultaneously