An Israeli source with firsthand information confirmed to ABC News that the United States and Israel previously rehearsed this strike during a joint military drill held about a year ago.
According to the source, what made the exercise unique was that it marked the first time the two allies simulated offensive maneuvers specifically targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The source added that the original planning for the operation took place during the Biden administration, noting, “But we did not think a year ago that this would happen now.”
{Matzav.com}
In the wake of the military action ordered by President Trump today, Iran may choose to retaliate by striking U.S. bases and strategic military sites located throughout the Middle East.
One potential target is Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which stands as the largest American military installation in the region.
The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain, is another key American presence. It plays a central role in naval operations throughout the Persian Gulf.
Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, which came under fire from Iran in 2020 following the death of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, remains a significant deployment hub for thousands of American troops.
Harir Air Base, located in Erbil, Iraq, has previously been attacked by drones launched by Iranian proxy forces, making it another likely option for reprisal.
In southern Syria, the U.S. operates Al Tanf Garrison near the tri-border area of Iraq and Jordan. In January 2024, an Iranian-aligned militia carried out a deadly strike on Tower 22, just a short distance from Al Tanf, killing three American service members.
Ali al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, roughly 20 miles from the Iraqi frontier, hosts the Air Force’s 386th Air Expeditionary Wing and is a key staging location.
Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates is another essential site. It houses the Air Force’s 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which flies F-22 Raptors along with a range of reconnaissance aircraft and drones.
In addition to these installations, Iran could aim its aggression at American embassies located in nearby countries such as Iraq, the UAE, or Israel.
Beyond direct attacks, Iran could attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz—a strategically vital waterway through which around 25% of global oil supply and about one-third of the world’s liquefied natural gas pass.
According to a U.S. official earlier this month, around 40,000 active-duty American service members are currently stationed either on land in the Middle East or aboard ships in the surrounding waters.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized during Senate testimony on Wednesday that protecting U.S. personnel remains the Pentagon’s top concern while simultaneously advising Trump on possible responses to Iranian aggression.
“We have maximum force protection in the region at all times being maintained,” Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Earlier this month, Hegseth approved the voluntary departure of all military family members from U.S. bases throughout the region, a precautionary measure given the volatile situation.
{Matzav.com}Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was not seen among the officials photographed with President Trump and his top national security advisors during a high-level meeting in the Situation Room earlier today.
Gabbard, who testified before Congress in March asserting that “Iran is not building a nuclear weapon,” has come under scrutiny as President Trump offered a sharply different assessment in recent public statements.
During remarks on Friday, the president pushed back on that narrative, stating, “my intelligence community is wrong” if they believe there is no indication that Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
When asked specifically about Gabbard’s statement, Trump responded emphatically: “She’s wrong.”
{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump addressed the nation tonight after the United States struck three nuclear sites in Iran. From the White House, Trump was joined by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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Read the transcript of Trump’s speech below:
“A short time ago, the U.S. military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear facilities in the Iranian regime: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. Everybody heard those names for years as they built this horribly destructive enterprise. Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity, and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror.
“Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.
“Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.
“For years, Iran has been saying death to America, death to Israel. They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs with roadside bombs. That was their specialty. We lost over a thousand people and hundreds of thousands throughout the Middle East and around the world have died as a direct result of their hate.
“In particular, so many were killed by their general, Qasem Soleimani. I decided a long time ago that I would not let this happen. It will not continue. I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. We worked as a team. Like perhaps no team has ever worked before. And we’ve gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel.
“I want to thank the Israeli military for the wonderful job they’ve done. And most importantly, I want to congratulate the great American patriots who flew those magnificent machines tonight and all of the United States military on an operation the likes of which the world has not seen in many, many decades.
“Hopefully, we will no longer need their services in this capacity. I hope that’s so. I also want to congratulate the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan “Raizin'” Cain — spectacular general — and all of the brilliant military minds involved in this attack.
“With all of that being said, this cannot continue. There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days. Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight’s was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal. But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes.
MORE: Israel-Iran live updates: Trump announces attack on Iranian nuclear sites
“There is no military in the world that could have done what we did tonight. Not even close. There has never been a military that could do what took place just a little while ago.
“Tomorrow, Gen. Caine, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, will have a press conference at 8 a.m. at the Pentagon. And I want to just thank everybody, and in particular, God.
“I want to just say, we love you, God, and we love our great military. Protect them. God bless the Middle East. God bless Israel, and god bless America. Thank you very much. Thank you.”
{Matzav.com}
Maran Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, rosh yeshiva of the Philadelphia Yeshiva and the zekan roshei haeyshivos, has been released from the hospital.
The rosh yeshiva had been hospitalized due to low hemoglobin levels and remained so that additional tests could be conducted to evaluate other health concerns.
All are asked to continue davening for the complete refuah sheleimah of Rav Shmuel ben Itta Ettil.
{Matzav.com}
Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Trump’s strikes on Iran constitute “grounds for impeachment.”
“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” she said on X. “He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.”
{Matzav.com}
Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu declared that his earlier commitment to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had now been fulfilled.
In a Hebrew-language video message addressed to the nation following the American assault on Iranian nuclear sites, Netanyahu emphasized that the U.S. military action had been executed in “full coordination” with Israel’s armed forces.
Netanyahu noted that the U.S. had effectively brought to completion the mission the Israeli military launched on June 13 to target Iran’s nuclear installations.
“At the beginning of the operation, I promised you that Iran’s nuclear facilities would be destroyed, one way or another. This promise was kept,” Netanyahu says.
He shared that President Trump had phoned him right after the U.S. strike concluded, offering heartfelt congratulations during what Netanyahu described as an emotional and sincere conversation.
“He congratulated me, he congratulated our army and he congratulated our people,” Netanyahu says, adding that he responded with words of appreciation in kind.
“President Trump is leading the free world with strength. He is a great friend of Israel, a friend like no other,” the premier continues, expressing deep gratitude to Trump.
{Matzav.com Israel}WATCH:
With great sadness, Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Shmuel Breskin zt”l of Lakewood.
Rav Shmuel was a talmid of Rav Shneur Kotler zt”l at Beth Medrash Govoha, where he immersed himself in limud haTorah.
Rav Shmuel’s wife Leah, was a daughter of Rav Moshe Finkel zt”l and sister of Rav Elya Boruch Finkel zt”l.
Details of the levayah will be published once finalized.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
President Trump delivered remarks after strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran, saying “Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace” and threatened further action.
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