The U.S. and Israeli War With Iran, Explained

 https://time.com/7382631/iran-israel-us-war-explainer-trump-middle-east/

American and Israeli officials have offered conflicting explanations for why they attacked Iran, even as Trump has insisted that strikes were necessary and that operations would continue until U.S. objectives are met. Immediately after the launch of “Operation Epic Fury” on Feb. 28, Trump characterized the attack as defensive and suggested that it was intended to eliminate “imminent threats” from Iran. Israel described it as a “preemptive strike” aimed at neutralizing an anticipated missile attack from Iran. Trump had a “good feeling” that Iran was planning to attack the U.S., White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on March 4. Neither the U.S. nor Israel provided evidence that Iran was planning to attack them. In private briefings to Congress, Trump Administration officials acknowledged that U.S. intelligence did not show Iran was preparing to strike before the U.S.-Israeli attacks; instead, they said Iran’s missiles and proxy forces posed a threat to U.S. personnel and allies in the region, although officials presented differing views over whether that threat was more general or imminent.