Israel, US Launch Strikes Against Iran, Kill Supreme Leader Khamenei

Israel and the United States launched sweeping air and missile strikes across Iran Saturday, igniting what officials in Washington and Jerusalem are calling a preemptive war against Tehran’s nuclear program and regional military reach. The operation targeted air defenses, missile facilities, command centers in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom and other key sites, according to U.S. and Israeli military statements. Strikes also targeted key Iranian regime leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who US President Donald Trump says was killed, writing on Truth Social, “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

Israel described the strikes  as one of the largest air campaigns in its history, aimed at neutralizing Iran’s ballistic missile expansion and support for proxy militias that have attacked American and Israeli interests.

U.S. officials justified the strikes as essential to dismantling Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons path and safeguarding forces across the Middle East. President Donald Trump framed the campaign as a stand against a “radical regime” threatening global security, urging Iranians to rise against their rulers. Tehran denounced the assault as unprovoked aggression, vowing severe consequences.

Iran retaliated swiftly, unleashing ballistic missiles and drones on Israeli cities and US bases in the Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Air raid sirens echoed in Tel Aviv after a few Iranian missiles evaded the Iron Dome and strike the city.

US lawmakers offered divided reactions, largely but not entirely along part lines. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) praised the strikes as “necessary and long justified,” calling for prayers for troops and allies. Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer decried the lack of congressional authorization and demanded immediate briefings, while Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) praised the strikes. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a critic of US intervention, called the strikes “unauthorized” and said he would attempt to force a congressional vote on the strikes with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA).

 

Israel Recognizes Somaliland, Spawns Pushback from African States

Israel’s decision to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state has thrust the territory in Somalia’s north into the center of a geopolitical contest, centered on the Horn of Africa.

Somaliland, which broke from Somalia in 1991, has built relatively functioning democratic institutions and security forces, contrasting sharply with Somalia’s chronic instability and aid dependence. Somaliland, in contrast to the rest of Somalia, was colonized by the British rather than the Italians.

Somalia condemned the move as a violation of its sovereignty, along with most African states, which warned it could destabilize a region already strained by conflict and shipping disruptions in the Red Sea. Taiwan, in contrast, welcomed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. Somaliland is seen as a rare Taiwanese ally on the continent, and Taiwan opened reciprocal representative offices with Somaliland in 2020.

US President Donald Trump, in response to Israel’s decision, has said the US will not recognize Somaliland’s independence.

 

Israeli Knesset Approves Judicial Changes Amid Protests

The Israeli legislature (Knesset) has approved changes to the country’s judiciary, most notably the selection system for its highest court. The changes would remove the ability for current Supreme Court judges to block candidates to the court. In addition, it removes the ability of the court to strike down laws they deem as ‘unreasonable.’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its supporters argue the reforms are necessary to prevent activist judicial decisions. Opponents of the changes, many of whom have joined protests against them, argue that it removes critical checks and balances against the among branches of government.

 

Israeli Political Crisis Comes to an End For Now

After three elections within the past year, Israel is set to have a permanent government for the first time since 2019.

In all three elections, neither the left wing nor the right-wing coalitions were able to gather a majority of legislators, with neither bloc willing to form an alliance with the Joint List, a group of Arab-interest parties. In addition, Avigdor Lieberman, who leads a secularist right-wing party refused to join incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc over a dispute on requiring Orthodox Jews to perform military service.

As part of an agreement, Netanyahu will serve as prime minister until October 2021, when his center-left rival-turned-partner Benny Gantz will take over.