The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, waging a war between the countries. During this operation, titled “Operation Roaring Lion”, they killed the supreme leader of Iran Ali Khamenei and other important political figures.
The strike was fueled by a decades-long fear of Iranian military capabilities that would threaten the security of both the United States and Israel. President Donald J. Trump stated that by eliminating the threat of nuclear weaponry in Iran, this operation was part of a larger objective to create peace in the middle east and in turn the entire world, according to CNN.
Since the start of this war, Iran has launched counterstrikes on facilities in the middle east, injuring both Israeli soldiers and American soldiers. According to the Hill, the Pentagon said that 140 United States service members have been wounded since the beginning.
There is a long history of tension between the United States and Iran, with several peace agreements and “talks” to ensure peace between the two countries.
CNN reports that while the Trump Administration was discussing a deal with Iran regarding their nuclear weapons, they were also preparing for the strikes made on February 28, and the ones following. They also report that the CIA had eyes on Khamenei for months, and was planning a perfect operation to strike. What was originally planned as a night strike was switched to occur in broad daylight, when all the officials were meeting together with the supreme leader. The US and Israel worked together to determine when this meeting would happen, closely following the daily habits of Khamenei and other leaders.
Israel and Iran have an even more complicated history, with their most recent conflict being a 12-day war this past June. The United States supported Israel in this effort, destroying many of their military and weaponry facilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Donald Trump on February 11 to discuss Iran’s growing nuclear weapons arsenal. In this meeting and in the statements made thereafter, Trump expressed a need for diplomacy with Iran before any violence ensued. However, as tensions strengthened over the past four weeks, the US launched an attack.
The agreement would entail that Iran ended its uranium enrichment program, limit the amount of missiles made, and stop funding to military programs and groups within Iran, according to PBS News. Trump stated in an interview with FOX News that he believed they could make this deal with Iran, however that they would most likely not uphold their side of the agreement.
President Trump also met with Netanyahu to discuss the war in Gaza however, with the current conflict in Iran, Gaza is pushed further back on the agenda for Trump’s Board of Peace.
Kara Hopkins
News Editor
