The U.S. and Israeli militaries launched a major attack on Iran Saturday morning. Simultaneous strikes in three locations killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and 40 other top government officials.
For weeks, the United States and Iran have been in talks about Iran’s nuclear power program. President Trump wanted Iran to stop enriching uranium. That ingredient is necessary for nuclear weapons.
On Thursday, Iranian and U.S. officials met in Geneva, Switzerland, for a third round of talks. Iranian officials refused to give up the country’s uranium. The talks ended with no agreement made.
Iran is still reeling from nation-wide protests in early January. More than 7,000 people died during the government’s deadly crackdown.
After confirming the death of Khamenei on Sunday, President Trump told the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny.” He said this is the “single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.”
Surviving Iranian officials organized a council to govern Iran until a new Supreme Leader is chosen.
Later Saturday, Iran launched attacks against Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and U.S. installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
Four U.S. service members died. At least 10 were seriously wounded.
On Sunday and Monday, the United States and Israel launched dozens more strikes across Iran. Iran continued retaliatory attacks.
An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations that hundreds of civilians have been killed in the strikes on Iran.
In an interview on Sunday, President Trump estimated that combat operations would continue “four weeks or so.” Israel has pledged “non-stop” strikes against Iran’s leaders.
Many Iranians gathered in the streets on Saturday. They mourned the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Others celebrated in hiding.
“Inside, we are in party mode,” wrote one man in northern Tehran. “But unless we are safe from them [Iranian authorities], people are not celebrating publicly because they are ruthless and even more vengeful.”
A doctor in northern Iran doubts that the Iranian people can take charge of the country. “This is a foreign war,” he says. “But if the regime is so weakened and then another call for protests is made, this is another story.”
Pray for justice in Iran and for the fighting to end quickly. Pray that those mourning the deaths of loved ones will turn to the true God for comfort.
