Using terminology similar to their ally, Russia, Iran announced just moments ago they will be conducting a "Special Operation" against Israel, in response to Israel launching a missile attack upon Tehran which killed a Hamas Leader.
Details are very sparse right now, but the announcement of a Special Operation has been made. "The response to the assassination will in fact be a tougher special operation aimed at instilling deep regret in the perpetrator" - Iran's United Nations envoy said this morning.
Yesterday, "someone" (presumed to be Israel) allegedly fired a cruise missile from an aircraft outside of Iran, which hit a home in Tehran, killing Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh at a home in Iran's capital, Tehran. (Story Here).
The victim of the assassination had just returned from attending the Inauguration of Iran's new President. Below is an image of the place where the assassination occurred:
This is a fast-developing story, check back for updates.
UPDATE 11:49 AM EDT --
Unconfirmed reports: Hajj Habib Zadeh, a senior member of the IRGC, has been assassinated in Damascus, Syria. Another high-ranking member of Iran military appears killed by Israel.
Smoke in the distance shows the hit near Damascus was LARGE:
UPDATE 1:43 PM EDT --
-- The United Nations is going to hold an emergency session in the Security Council, requested by Iran. The request to call the UNSC meeting was made by Iran and supported by China and Algeria.
-- An emergency council of ministers meeting is being held at the General Staff building in Tel Aviv:
-- Switzerland urges nationals to leave Lebanon
Why Should WE Care?
Many readers are asking themselves, "Why should any of us care that these two groups are slaughtering each other over in the Middle East?" The answer is simple:
When Israel and Iran go to war, and the US enters on the side of Israel, gasoline will almost immediately go up to $10+/gallon and the costs of that will be passed on in E V E R Y thing we buy. Food, clothing, etc. You see, all those things must, at some point, move by truck. Trucks run on fuel. If the cost of fuel rises to $10+ a gallon, that cost get into everything the trucks transport; there's no way around it. We saw what happened to this country when gasoline hit $5 a gallon; at double the price, it will be economic wreckage/destruction, nationwide. Period. Full stop.
-- British Airways, United, and Delta have canceled flights to Israel starting tomorrow
Captain Obvious --
Biden administration officials are concerned that the assassination in Tehran may make it very difficult to avoid a regional war
UPDATE 2:06 PM EDT --
US State Department: Raising the warning level against traveling to Lebanon to Level 4, Do Not Travel.
