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Citing U.S. military sources, the publication reports that the targets of the U.S. strikes are Iran’s military facilities. The Wall Street Journal source emphasized that these “preventive strikes” are aimed at weakening Tehran’s ability to retaliate.
A little later, US President Donald Trump announced that the US has launched a large-scale military operation against Iran. In a special video message on his social network Truth Social, the US leader accused Iran of an “endless campaign of bloodshed and mass murder” against the US and its allies.
“Our goal is to protect the American people by eliminating the immediate threats posed by the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very tough, horrible people. Its threatening activities directly threaten the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies around the world,” he said.
The US president reiterated that the main goal of the attacks was to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which “should not have nuclear weapons.”
But at the same time, the media pay attention that the US is not hiding its goal of regime change in Tehran. Donald Trump separately addressed the police and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), calling on them to lay down their weapons and “receive full immunity” or face “imminent death.”
Addressing Iranian citizens, the US president said: “When we are done, take charge – it will belong to you. It may be your only chance in generations.”
UPDATE 08.02.2026 10:47
Iranian media reports that Iran has launched more than 30 ballistic missiles toward Israel.
RBK confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detected missiles fired from Iran “some time ago.” Citizens are therefore asked to take shelter.
“Defensive systems are working to prevent the threat,” the IDF stated in a statement.
Less than 15 minutes later, the IDF reported another missile launch toward Israel. RBK quotes the statement: “Currently, the air defense system is detecting and intercepting threats,” the Israeli military added.
UPDATE 08.02.2026 11:26
Israel has named its operation in Iran ‘Lion’s Roar.’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation would last several days. He called on the country’s citizens to strictly follow the orders of the command and said that everyone would need endurance and fortitude. ‘Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel,’ the prime minister said in a video address to his fellow citizens. He is quoted by RBC.
At the same time, the United States has named its operation against Iran ‘Epic Fury.’ Donald Trump named other goals of the military operation, in addition to eliminating Iran’s nuclear programme and changing the regime in Tehran, such as completely destroying the Islamic Republic’s naval forces and neutralising Iranian proxies in the region (including Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen).
Meanwhile, the first explosions were heard in Jerusalem against the backdrop of Iran’s retaliatory attack on American-Israeli strikes, according to The New York Times and Al Jazeera.
Shortly before that, the Israel Defence Forces reported two waves of missile launches from Iran. Sirens are sounding across the country, and citizens have been urged to remain in shelters.
International media reported that the United States and Israel targeted the residences of the Iranian president and supreme leader, as well as military commanders, among their first targets. However, Reuters reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is not in Tehran and has been moved to a safe location.
There is no information about the possible elimination of other Iranian leaders. Initially, there were reports that one of the leaders of the Iranian armed forces was killed in the first hours after the start of the Israeli and US missile and bomb strikes. However, this information has not been confirmed by reliable sources.
UPDATE 08.02.2026 12.00
Experts warn that an Israeli-US attack on Iran could escalate into a regional conflict.
Confirming this, RBC reports a number of attacks and explosions in various countries in the region. Specifically, an American base in Bahrain was hit by an Iranian missile attack, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
Al Jazeera reports explosions in Bahrain. Reuters reports smoke rising from the area where the US naval base is located.
The Bahrein News Agency (BNA), citing the National Communications Center, reports that the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet maintenance center, stationed in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, was attacked.
Furthermore, Qatari air defense systems intercepted an Iranian missile, the country’s Ministry of Defense reported, according to Al Jazeera.
The channel also reports explosions in Kuwait. CNN reports that there are reports of explosions in Abu Dhabi. Reuters also reported on the loud explosion in the UAE capital.
Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE closed their airspace following the US and Israeli attack on Iran. Kuwait canceled all flights to Iran “until further notice.”
