Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan “Razin? Caine hold a Pentagon press briefing to discuss the U.S/Israel war against Iran. The anticipated start time is 8:00am ET with livestream links below:
UPDATE: Video Added – Media Questions begin at 29:00 of the video
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Several online videos have surface of U.S. F-15 pilots ejecting out of aircraft that were seemingly hit during combat operations. According to most accounts the incidents took place over the skies of Kuwait and there are indications these were ‘friendly fire’ mistakes.
With all of the inbound drone, UAV, missile and ballistic missile activity it would not be a surprise to hear of Kuwaiti air defense forces accidentally targeting coalition or U.S. fighter jets that would be traversing the region.
All of the pilots are reported to be safe and with the assistance of the Kuwaiti government returning to their U.S. military bases. Given the “fog of war” it is best to wait until details are released from the Pentagon.
UPDATE: Immediately after writing, this update appears from CENTCOM:
TAMPA, Fla. – At 11:03 p.m. ET, March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident.
During active combat—that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.
All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. (SOURCE)
President Trump makes remarks about the ongoing “Operation Epic Fury.”
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a very popular tourist destination in the middle east with most travelers traveling to the playground of Dubai. Their economy and image as a safe and secure country are very important. As a result, they are keenly sensitive, proactive toward negative impressions and highly focused on international opinion/security.
Iran has been sending drones and cruise/ballistic missiles into the entire region; hitting Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Israel.
The UAE is sharing how intense they are being targeted along with the network of defense systems being deployed to intercept the attacks.
UAE Ministry of Defense confirms we successfully shot down: 165 ballistic missiles, 2 cruise missiles and 541 drones fired by Iran.
On day 2, we shot down 20 ballistic missiles (8 fell in sea), 2 cruise missiles, and 311 drones. 21 drones hit civilian targets. {SOURCE}
This is a remarkable amount of Iranian firepower being targeted toward one regional nation. The air defense system of the UAE is highlighting the value in very proactive defense positioning. Quite remarkable.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton appears on CBS Face the Nation to discuss the ongoing U.S. military operation against Iran. Video and Transcript Below
[TRANSCRIPT] – MARGARET BRENNAN: Imtiaz Tyab reporting from Muscat, Oman. We turn now to the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton, who joins us from Bentonville. Good morning to you, Senator.
SEN. TOM COTTON: Good morning, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The President of the United States warned the American public that there could be casualties, American casualties. Does that mean the U.S. is putting boots on the ground?
SEN. COTTON: No, Margaret, the president has been clear that what we should expect to see is an extended air and naval campaign that’s designed not only to continue to set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but most importantly, to destroy its vast missile arsenal. Many more missiles than the United States and Israel have air defenses combined, as well as the missile launchers and its missile manufacturing capability. Now obviously one risk of that kind of campaign is that an aircraft could be shot down, and the president would never leave a pilot behind. So no doubt we have combat search and rescue assets in the region that are prepared to go in and extract any downed pilot. But barring that kind of unusual circumstance, Margaret, the president has no plan for any kind of large scale ground force inside of Iran.
A former New York City resident and U.S. citizen immigrant originally from Senegal, opened fire at a crowded Austin, Texas, bar, killing three people and injuring 14 others. Sources have told media the attack may have been motivated by recent U.S. strikes on Iran. {UPDATE: Shooter Pictured Below Fold}
The shooter was found to have a Quran in his vehicle and was wearing what is described as Islamic attire. The FBI is probing the incident as a potential act of ideologically driven terrorism. (PROMPTED)
(Fox 7 – Austin) – At a press conference early Sunday, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said police received a call around 1:40 a.m. for reports of a “male shooting” at Buford’s, a beer garden in the city’s busy entertainment district.
When police arrived at the scene, they confronted a man with a gun and then “returned fire, killing the suspect,” Davis said. According to EMS Chief Robert Luckritz, three people died at the scene and 14 people were taken to hospitals. Three of those injured were in critical condition.
A spokesman for the FBI said at a news conference later Sunday morning that the gunman appears to have ties to a terror group, but that is still under investigation.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is now confirming that three U.S. Servicemembers have been killed in action, and another five have been seriously injured. [SOURCE] One report indicates the three fatalities were the result of an Iranian missile strike against U.S. forces in Kuwait.
TAMPA, Fla. – As of 9:30 am ET, March 1, three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury. Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty.
Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified. {source}
There are no details surrounding the deaths or injured. According to Military.Com, “U.S. forces across the region remain on heightened alert as commanders assess force protection measures and potential follow-on actions. Senior defense officials are expected to brief lawmakers in the coming hours as the scope and trajectory of the operation continue to develop.”
Iran’s state media delivered the message this way: “To the noble and proud people of Iran: With the ultimate grief and sorrow this is to inform you that following the barbaric attack by the criminal governments of America and the evil Zionist regime, the true example of faith, jihad and resistance, the Supreme Leader of the Revolution Grand Ayatollah Khamenei achieved the blessing of martyrdom.”
President Trump shares the following message via 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. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.
This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!”
According to multiple confirmations following visible evidence of his body, news is now widely spreading throughout the middle east that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is DEAD.
This could rapidly escalate an end to the U.S. military operation, through regime change. We await confirmation of this news from President Donald Trump.
The very first strikes in Tehran by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were targeted to the power circle in control of government in Iran.
In a nationally televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just said the strikes had targeted the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“There are growing signs that the tyrant is no longer alive,” Netanyahu said. However, earlier today, Iran’s foreign minister told NBC News that the country’s supreme leader and president were alive “as far as I know.”
Several of Iran’s top military leaders and family members of Khamenei are confirmed to have been killed, which seems to explain the unfocused attacks by Iran toward a host of middle east nations including Israel, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike this morning on Iran, with his body being found recently among the rubble, Israeli officials tell The Times of Israel. {Source}
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesperson, says the strikes also killed other senior Iranian officials. Defrin says they included the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the defense minister, the head of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s military bureau and the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. {Source}
U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, after the strikes on Iran, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Many Americans are waking up this morning to discover the United States and Israel have launched joint military operations against Iran. The news can be unsettling, unnerving and yes, admittedly, frustrating for many.
President Trump has made the decision and called for the people of Iran to stand now against the Iranian regime that has been a thorn in the side of many regional partners for decades. A direct and kinetic U.S. war against Iran is underway.
This decision has weighed heavily on President Trump throughout the first fourteen months of his presidency. Regardless of our personal opinions therein, the decision has been made. Knowing the stakes at hand both here and abroad, we carry the assurance that President Trump knows what the ramifications entail.
Accepting the stakes; knowing this is an all or nothing proposition; the conflict is likely to be a long duration event for several days, even weeks. For the leadership in Iran this is a zero-sum moment. For those who have long tried to find an alternative to war, this is also a no retreat moment. Either the regime in Iran is toppled, or the operation will have failed. Given all the expanded energy, this is the reality of the matter.
(AP) – A person briefed on the military plans says Saturday’s operation was planned by the U.S. and Israel for months and closely coordinated. The person says the attacks are expected to continue for several days. {SOURCE}
That said, there will be time for talking about the domestic political consequences for this action; however, this is not that time. Right now, our thoughts and prayers are with American military carrying out their mission, and with those who are in the expanded region of conflict. We pray for their protection, safety and strength.
Within hours the Iranian regime responded with counter attacks launched against U.S. military bases and regional allies in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE. U.S. and allied defensive missile systems are intercepting Iranian missiles in multiple operational areas while the U.S. joint military operations against Iran continue into what is presumably multiple pre-planned stages.