Here’s where things stand after the US, Israeli strikes on Iran

The United States and Israel attacked Iran during the weekend that resulted in the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior figures.

These attacks occurred two days after the U.S.-Iran talks directed at overseeing Tehran’s nuclear program. According to the Associated Press, U.S. military deaths have been reported, and other deaths have been confirmed in Israel and Gulf nations, while Iran has said several hundred people have been killed. 

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The conflict has heightened into an extensive war in the region. Iran and its allied armed groups have launched missiles at Israel, Arab states, and U.S. military targets in the Middle East.

Here’s where things stand after the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.

United States

Local perspective:

President Trump spoke publicly Monday morning for the first time since the massive weekend attack on Iran, saying the operations were likely to last 4 to 5 weeks but that he was prepared “to go far longer than that.”

Earlier Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine held the Trump administration’s first news briefing since Saturday’s strikes.

Hegseth addressed concerns that the strikes may intensify into a regional conflict by declaring, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless.” Hegseth said the operation had a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” to “destroy the missile threat” from Iran, destroy its navy and “no nukes.” 

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The attacks happened after the U.S. formed its largest military presence in the region in years. Israeli and U.S. authorities spent weeks tracking the movements of senior Iranian leaders.

Iran’s military has hit Israel, where several people have been killed. Iran has also targeted U.S. bases in the region. Citing the U.S. Central Command, the Associated Press reported that four service members were killed, which were the first known U.S. casualties. 

According to the AP, President Donald Trump has previously said the “heavy and pinpoint bombing” in Iran would continue through the week or longer. So far, Trump has only talked about it in posts and video messages on social media. He is hosting a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on Monday and may address the situation. 

The AP noted that the U.S. has suggested a willingness to talk to Iran’s new leaders, at some point. Separately, some leaders in Congress have protested at the launch of the strikes without congressional authorization.

Iran

Dig deeper:

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed when his compound was bombed on Feb. 28. The Associated Press reported that Iran’s ballistic missile sites, navy headquarters and warships were also attacked. 

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Iranian officials told the AP that strikes also targeted the Natanz nuclear enrichment site. Israel and the U.S. have not acknowledged strikes at the site. Khamenei had no designated successor, but Iran has set up a three-member leadership council, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the AP that a new supreme leader would be chosen in “one or two days.” 

Israel

The other side:

According to the Associated Press, Israel views Iran as a threat and has pushed to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, while also targeting armed allied groups like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

Israeli attacks have weakened those groups since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that started the war in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel has vowed “nonstop” strikes and at one point told the AP that 100 fighter jets were simultaneously striking targets in Tehran.