US, Israel Attack Iran as a Diversionary Tactic for Their Domestic Woes

The US and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike occurring near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Critics said both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched the attacks to divert attention from their personal woes, with Netanyahu on trial for corruption and Trump under fire for his ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.(Photo: دولت جمهوری اسلامی ایران Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran X) 

Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital, Jon Gambrell, Konstantin Toropin, and Josh Boak reported for the Associated Press (AP).

President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the US had begun “major combat operations in Iran.”

He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles capable of reaching the US, and he appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government — it will be yours to take.”

Trump acknowledged that there could be American casualties following the strikes on Iran, saying “that often happens in war.”

Critics said both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched the attacks to divert attention from their personal woes, with Netanyahu on trial for corruption and Trump under fire for his ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint attack was meant to “remove an existential threat posed” by Iran.

“Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.”

Iran has said it hasn’t enriched uranium since June but blocked inspectors from visiting the sites the US bombed during a 12-day war.

Satellite photos analyzed by AP have shown new activity at two of those sites. Iran has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile program, restricting their range to 2,000 km (1,240 miles).

That puts all of the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe within range.

There is no evidence that Iran is seeking to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles, and the claim is as unfounded as the Bush administration’s excuse to invade Iraq, alleging that Baghdad possessed an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Iraq had none.