Thousands of targets set as Israel moves to ‘finish the job’ in Iran

Currently, the US Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, dozens of warships and military aircraft, including F-35 multirole stealth fighters, are stationed in the Middle East. The Ford Carrier Strike Group, the United States’ most advanced aircraft carrier group, is also heading toward the theater of conflict.

Who runs Iran?

Ayatollah Arafi, a close collaborator of Khamenei, has been appointed to temporarily lead Iran. Arafi, a seasoned cleric, currently serves as vice president of the Assembly of Experts, the body that appoints the Supreme Leader.

He has also been a member of the influential Guardian Council, the body responsible for vetting electoral candidates and reviewing legislation passed by parliament. Tehran has a long list of hardliners to replace its “martyred” leaders in an establishment that has crystallized over nearly five decades.

According to a NYT According to the report, Ali Larijani, the country’s top national security official and former IRGC commander, has been effectively running the country.

Larijani had become Khamenei’s closest adviser and had been entrusted with the task of crushing the uprising against the regime in January, the largest since the founding of the Islamic Republic.

Before his death, Khamenei had already named four levels of succession for military and government functions.

What did Donald Trump say?

US President Donald Trump had earlier issued a statement along similar lines, calling on the Iranian public to “take control of their destiny.”

Trump has issued a new statement, warning Iran not to hit back: “Iran just declared that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than ever before… However, they better not do it, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before.”

The Islamic Republic launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks against Washington’s allies in the Middle East and several leaders in Tehran said the United States and Israel will face consequences for their actions.

The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, all of which host US military bases, were targets of the attacks, although most of the projectiles were intercepted.

Reza Pahlavi’s message

Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the deposed Shah of Iran, vowed to protect Iran and the country’s people and urged citizens to exercise caution and stay home. He also urged Trump to act with the utmost caution to preserve the lives of civilians and my compatriots, adding that “the people of Iran are his natural allies and those of the free world.”