World leaders, lawmakers weigh in on U.S.-Israel attack against Iran

Key Concepts

• US-Israel Joint Strikes: Coordinated military action against Iran targeting its nuclear and missile capabilities.
• Iranian Retaliation: Missile attacks launched by Iran targeting Israel and US military bases in the Middle East.
• Nuclear Program Concerns: The primary justification for the strikes is to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
• War Powers Debate: Ongoing discussion in the US regarding the President’s authority to initiate military action without Congressional approval.
• Escalation Risk: Concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict.
• Preemptive Strike: Israel’s stated intention to disrupt Iran’s ballistic missile program through a preemptive attack.

United States and Israel Launch Strikes Against Iran – CBS News Special Report

Introduction & Initial Strikes

This CBS News special report details the unfolding events following a coordinated military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran. The strikes, initiated earlier today, targeted locations within Iran, including the capital, Tehran. Two US officials have indicated that Iran’s defense minister and commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps are believed to have been killed in the attacks. Video footage from Tehran shows the aftermath of the strikes. President Trump announced the attacks via social media, stating the objective is “to defend the American people by eliminating eminent threats from the Iranian regime,” characterizing the Iranian leadership as “a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.” He also called for Iranian civilians to “take over your government.” President Trump further clarified in an interview with the Washington Post that the goal is “securing freedom and safety for Iran’s people.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a translated statement from Hebrew, affirmed that the operation would continue “as long as necessary.” A phone conversation between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu was confirmed by White House Press Secretary Caroline Levit, though details were not disclosed.

Iranian Response & Regional Impact

In response to the US-Israeli strikes, Iran launched multiple missile attacks towards Israel and targeted at least two significant US military bases in the region. Footage from Herbiel Airport military base in Iraq shows US forces launching missile interceptors. Prior to the strikes, Iran’s Foreign Minister, in an interview on Face the Nation, asserted Iran’s right to self-defense under international law if attacked, stating, “If the US attacks us, that is the act of aggression. What we do in response is the act of self-defense. So, and it is justifiable and and legitimate.” He also indicated that any Iranian response would target US bases in the region, clarifying, “Our missiles cannot hit the American soil. So obviously we have to do something else.” The attacks have extended beyond military targets, with reports of explosions in populated areas in the UAE (Dubai), Kuwait (under shelter alert), and Bahrain (targeting the US Fifth Fleet).

Military Preparations & International Reactions

Leading up to the coordinated strikes, the US deployed “dozens of naval vessels and aircraft” to the Middle East, signaling the seriousness and potential duration of the operation. International reactions have been mixed. Canada’s Prime Minister expressed support for US action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The British government stated, “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.” However, French President Emanuel Macron, in a post on X (translated from French), cautioned that “the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security,” and called for an end to the “ongoing escalation,” urging Iran to engage in “good faith negotiations.”

Domestic Political Response & Congressional Debate

On Capitol Hill, a debate regarding the President’s war powers is ongoing. House Democrats have announced plans to force a floor vote on an Iran war powers resolution next week. Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed seven of the eight members of the “Gang of Eight” – top congressional leaders with intelligence expertise – prior to the strikes. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the Trump administration’s actions, stating, “Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions.” Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT), a member of the Gang of Eight and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, criticized the President’s decision, calling it “a war of choice with no strategic endgame,” and warning that “military action in this region almost never ends well for the United States, and conflict with Iran can easily spiral and escalate in ways we cannot anticipate.”

On-the-Ground Reporting from Tel Aviv

CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie Dageda, reporting from Tel Aviv, described the situation as beginning with air raid sirens warning Israeli citizens of the impending joint US-Israeli attack on Iran. He reported explosions in Tehran and four other Iranian cities, indicating a widespread operation. Dageda stated that the Israelis launched approximately 200 aircraft targeting 500 targets, including ballistic missile stockpiles, launchers (both mobile and fixed), and the regime itself, in an attempt to execute a “preemptive strike.” He noted that Iran retaliated with missile attacks reaching areas previously untouched, including Bahrain (targeting the US Fifth Fleet) and US airfields in Iraq. Dageda highlighted that while Iran possesses an estimated 2,000 ballistic missiles, the scale of the initial retaliation suggests a calculated strategy or successful interception efforts. He reported a surge in air raid sirens in Israel – between 25 and 30 during his report – reflecting the broader regional escalation.

Technical Terms & Concepts:

• Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): An elite military and political force in Iran responsible for protecting the Islamic Republic.
• Ballistic Missile: A missile that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload.
• Preemptive Strike: An attack launched to prevent an anticipated attack by an enemy.
• Gang of Eight: A bipartisan group of eight congressional leaders who receive classified briefings on intelligence matters.
• Fifth Fleet: A numbered fleet of the United States Navy responsible for operations in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

Conclusion

The US-Israeli strikes against Iran represent a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The situation remains highly volatile, with Iran’s retaliatory attacks extending the conflict beyond Israel and potentially drawing in other regional actors. The ongoing debate over presidential war powers and the lack of a clear strategic endgame, as highlighted by Congressman Himes, underscore the risks associated with this military action. The international community’s divided response and the potential for further escalation necessitate careful diplomacy and a de-escalation strategy to prevent a wider regional conflict.