Iran War

The United States bombing of numerous sites in Iran on February 28 marked the beginning of military action in the country and has led to an ongoing war.

Before the U.S. launched its military defense against Iran President Trump conveyed frustration regarding the process of conversations about Iran’s nuclear program and deployed an “armada” to the Middle East.

The United States announced the death of Iran's leader, Ali Khamenei on March 1. The leader was killed in an Israeli missile strike. Selecting a new leader is carried out by the Assembly of Experts, made up of 88 senior clerics. 

Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed leader on March 8. 

Trump said on March 2 that was the reason the U.S. launched its attack on Iran, bombing over 1,000 targets in the first days of what is expected to be a weeks-long war. 

"You see, we were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they were going to attack first. They were going to attack. If we didn't do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that," President Donald Trump said. 

During Trump's first public statements he gave four reasons for the campaign, destroying Iran's missile capabilities; Annihilating Iran's navy; Preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons; Ensuring the regime can't continue to arm, fund or direct "terrorist armies" outside its borders.

“I think a lot of people like me are afraid of America getting into another long, drawn out war. If you're my age, you've seen them happen in that part of the world before in Afghanistan and Iraq. I don't want, like a lot of people, to see that happen again,” NHS History Teacher Jason Ferrier said. 

During these public remarks Trump denied that Israel forced his hand to attack Iran and in another explanation he said he ordered the U.S. attack on Iran because he gathered Tehran was going to attack the U.S. first following negotiation stalls. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ABC that the strikes were caused partly because the U.S. knew Israel was going to attack Iran and Iran would retaliate. 

Trump did not provide evidence for why his administration believed Iran posed an imminent threat to the U.S. In the past American intelligence has said that Iran would not have missiles capable of reaching the U.S until 2035. 

Trump has said that most of Iran’s military infrastructures including the air force and navy has been hit. 

The state department has warned U.S. citizens to leave the region of Tehran and closed several embassies. As of now according to U.S. officials six U.S. service members have been killed in the war and more wounded. 

Trump demanded Iran to stop enriching uranium. Iran has not given up its enriching capabilities, saying the program is meant for peaceful purposes. In recent years Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons grade-levels and beyond the purity levels used for peaceful purposes. 

“It is unfortunate, unnecessary, inhuman and unjustified,” NHS Media Specialist Lyza Zandonella said. 

“Defense secretary Pete Hegseth said President Trump's request for Iran's surrender will happen whether Iran wants "to admit it or not, whether their pride lets them say it out loud or not."

The U.S. has said it has struck over 3,000 targets inside Iran according to CBS news. Hegseth said there will be a point where Iran will be incapable of fighting. 

"This is war. This is a conflict. This is bringing your enemy to their knees. Now, whether they will have a ceremony in Tehran Square and surrender, that's up to them," Hegseth said. 

Last June the U.S. launched airstrikes that targeted Iran’s nuclear capabilities. 

More than 1,600 Iranians have been killed according to a group by the name of Human Rights Activists located in Iran. This included 168 people, most of which were children, killed at a school in the southern part where the U.S. was attacking. 

Neither Israel or the U.S has taken responsibility for the strike. 

Other countries have become part of the war. Iran has launched missiles and drones into the middle east. This includes Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. 

Russia is also entering the war, multiple sources report Russia providing information to Iran. 

“I’m gonna be honest. I haven't been able to keep up with it, mainly because I don't really know where I can get the best information. I think the biggest thing that I got out of all this is not realizing I don't know where the best source to get information is that I can trust,” NHS Math Intern Dylan Diaspro said.