WASHINGTON -- Early Saturday, the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran, which resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social nearly 16 hours after the start of the operation.
"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," Trump said.
The move followed months of increased U.S. military presence in the Middle East and repeated warnings from Trump urging Tehran to abandon its nuclear program.
The strikes occurred while indirect talks were still underway between U.S. officials and the Iranian regime over a potential nuclear deal. Trump said Friday he was "not happy" with the progress of talks with Iran.
Dubbed Operation Epic Fury, the mission targeted military sites, as well as compounds and command centers of top Iranian leaders.
The targets included command and control sites of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Iranian air defense systems, missile, and drone launch sites; and military airfields.
"This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country," Trump wrote on social media.
"We are hearing that many of their IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us," Trump added.
Earlier, in a video message soon after the U.S. strikes, Trump warned the Iranian military and police force, urging them to lay down their weapons.
"Lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death," the president said.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have faced and shot down continuous rounds of missile launches and other unmanned aerial vehicles from Iran since the attack, which it dubbed Operation Lion's Roar. Tel Aviv and other areas of the country continue to face missile threats.
Iran also targeted the U.S. bases positioned in neighboring countries, especially in the Persian Gulf. Those bases included the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain; the Al Udeid Air Base, roughly 20 miles outside of Doha, Qatar; the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait; and the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
"CENTCOM forces successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks," it stated. "There have been no reports of U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries. Damage to U.S. installations was minimal and has not impacted operations."
However, Iran's retaliation put its Arab neighbors in the crossfire, even outright targeting their territory during the bombardment.
Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan confirmed that they each launched their own anti-missile defense systems. They all issued statements condemning the attacks; however, none chose to launch retaliatory strikes against Iran.
"And the President decided he was not going to sit back and allow American forces in the region to absorb attacks from conventional missiles," the official told reporters on a background call.
"We had analysis that basically told us, if we sat back and waited to get hit first, the amount of casualties and damage would be substantially higher."
In addition, Trump administration officials have determined that negotiations with Iran were unsuccessful due to its refusal to address ballistic missiles, proxies, and the nuclear program.
"The Iranian people must also be able to freely build their future," Macron said. "The massacres committed by the Islamic regime disqualify it and demand that the voice be returned to the people. The sooner, the better."
Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, welcomed a meeting of the U.N. Security Council, expressing great concern over the campaign. While he stressed a commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability, he urged "all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law."
He also condemned Iran's attacks on other countries in the region.
Meanwhile, communist China and Russia condemned the attack on Iran.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned both the attack on Iran and its retaliation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) issued a statement on X saying that the bipartisan group of eight congressional leaders who are briefed on classified information, called the Gang of Eight, was briefed several days ago on the mission and the fact military action may be necessary.
Johnson stood by the administration's decision.
"When Congress reconvenes, I will work with [Rep. Ro Khanna] to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran," Massie said on X. "The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war."
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) broke ranks with his party and supported the president's decision.
"The heavy and pinpoint bombing," Trump said on Truth Social,"will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective"to bring peace to the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also announced during a video message that the country's military strikes on Iran will continue "as long as necessary."