More details are emerging about last night's historic and decisive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
In his address last night from the White House, President Trump stated proudly that the United States and Israel "worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we've gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel."
We now know more about the depth of that cooperation leading up to the operation, a showcase of American and Israeli military coordination to ensure the mission succeeded and that our troops were unscathed.
At the request of President Trump, Israeli Air Force jets preceded the American B-2 bombers and conducted a wave of strikes on Iran's air defenses in the area, clearing a path for the incoming American bombers. The Israeli pre-strikes, on targets provided by the U.S. military, enabled American pilots to enter Iranian air space, strike their targets, and exit safely.
More than 125 U.S. planes participated in the attack, named Operation Midnight Hammer, including fighters, bombers, refuelers, electronic warfare and intelligence aircraft. Iran failed to fire a single shot at the U.S. planes.
This pivotal moment in the history of the United States and Israel is a byproduct of the work we've done together over decades.
Through AIPAC, you have helped to educate our elected officials and build bipartisan consensus in Washington about the need to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.
And you have helped ensure Israel would be ready with both the offensive and defense weapons needed to confront the regime, destroy Iran's capabilities, and protect millions of Israelis.
đź”´ TONIGHT: URGE CONGRESS TO SUPPORT AMERICA'S ACTION AND STAND WITH ISRAEL
It is essential that members of Congress speak out publicly and declare that a nuclear Iran is a threat to America. Urge them to emphasize that this decisive military action removed an imminent danger to the United States.
President Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that after striking Iran's key nuclear facilities, his next goal is to reach a deal with Tehran.
Our work will be essential to ensuring Congress and the administration continue to hold the line on total dismantlement and zero enrichment in any potential agreement.
Tonight, Israel's Knesset and Jerusalem's Old City walls are lit with the American flag to celebrate last night's historic operation and the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Israel's strikes continue across Iran
Israel's campaign to destroy Iran's nuclear infrastructure and eliminate its ballistic missile program continued throughout the day.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir noted that the campaign is far from over for Israel. “We still have targets to strike and objectives to complete,” he said. “We are continuing to increase the pace of our attacks in accordance with the plan and are prepared to continue for as long as required.”
Dozens of fighter jets carried out waves of bombing raids on missile and drone sites across Iran. Some 60 munitions were dropped by the Air Force during the strikes, including on a strategic missile headquarters where Iran's long-range missiles were stored.
In another remarkable demonstration of Israel's operational reach, Israeli pilots flew 1,400 miles from Israel to strike the site, marking one of its longest sorties yet.
“In broad daylight, we surprised the Imam Hussein missile headquarters in central Iran, the furthest target we’ve struck to date,” said IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar.
“We destroyed Khorramshahr missiles before they were launched at Israel and struck tunnels used to store the missiles,” he said.
IDF recovers bodies of three slain hostages in military operation
The bodies of three slain hostages, Ofra Keidar, Jonathan Samerano, and Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson, were recovered yesterday in a joint military operation in Gaza.
Keidar, 71, was murdered while on an early morning walk near her home in Kibbutz Be’eri during the October 7, 2023 onslaught. Her body was then abducted to Gaza.
Samerano, 22, who lived in Tel Aviv, was attending the Nova music festival when the Hamas massacre began. The terrorists, including an UNRWA employee, murdered him after he fled to Kibbutz Be'eri and abducted his body to Gaza in the back of a Jeep. Yesterday would have been his 23rd birthday.
Levinson, 19, was a tank commander stationed on the Gaza border. He was killed on October 7 while battling the invading Hamas terrorists near the Nova festival, and his body was taken hostage into Gaza.
We grieve with the families of Ofra, Jonathan, and Shay, along with all those who have lost their loved ones at the hands of the barbaric terrorists.
Hamas is still holding 50 hostages in Gaza. The international community must increase the pressure on the terror group to accept the U.S. deal on the table and free all of the hostages.
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The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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