Dave Patterson: The Time for Talk Is Over - US, Israel Strike Iran and Kill Khamenei

The time for substantive talks between the US and Iran has come and gone. At 1:15 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, the US and Israel launched a massive airstrike against targets in Iran. Operation Epic Fury was the American name for the attack, while Israel’s code name was Roaring Lion. Unlike similar strikes in the past, Iran’s senior leadership was targeted, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a Truth Social post, President Trump announced: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.” The objective was to decapitate Iran’s leadership immediately in order to provide the Iranian citizens the freedom to rise up against a leaderless government. Much of that job now appears to be done.

Talks With Iran Were Going Nowhere

Talks have been going on for weeks between Iran and the US with no end in sight. Then the time for action came. US Central Command (CENTCOM), the unified combatant command responsible for the Middle East, explained the consequences in a statement posted to X with accompanying video:

“US and partner forces began striking targets at 1:15 am ET to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that posed an imminent threat. Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. ‘The President ordered bold action, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call,’ said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.”

Iran did attempt to strike back. However, according to CENTCOM, US and partner forces “successfully defended” US installations in the region from “hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones” with no loss of life or injuries and minimal damage. US bases were attacked in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, “There are unconfirmed reports of strikes on Iranian naval assets. An Israeli OSINT [open source intelligence] account reported strikes on the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] Navy frigate Jamaran… There are also unverified reports of strikes on the IRGC Navy Imam Ali Navy Base in Chabahar, Sistan and Balochistan Province.” Should the time of the conflict be extended, it will be essential that Iran’s naval capabilities are eliminated to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is not closed by Iran’s warships.

Congressional Support for Trump’s Action

Back in Washington, DC, reactions to the attacks are pretty much what you would expect. Most Democrats criticize taking the fight to Iran without congressional authorization and intend to bring to a vote in the House a motion to require authorization for the US to strike Iran. On the other side of the aisle, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said: “Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions.” President Trump “made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions,” he added.

Congressman Mark Alford (R-MO) supported President Trump’s decision, observing in an X post: “The Iranian regime is the world’s leading state sponsor of terror, a destabilizing force across the region, and a threat to US allies, interests, and bases in the Middle East…I support President Trump’s swift and bold action to finally hold the regime accountable.” Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) also heralded the US strike against Iran as important in defeating Tehran’s ambitions to develop a nuclear weapon. Cruz said in a statement: “Today’s action will enhance the national security of the United States and our allies. I applaud our Armed Forces, our intelligence community, and President Trump for their capabilities and resolve to eliminate these threats, and I am deeply appreciative that our Israeli allies are fighting alongside the US…”

From a strategic military perspective, retired four-star General Jack Keane told Fox News that the Iranian regime has never been more “vulnerable or weaker” and “they were not going to change at all.” President Trump knew that something had to be done because continuing to negotiate was throwing the mullahs a “lifeline for the next ten years.”

The US and Israel, according to Keane, are the “two most proven militaries in the world who are conducting their first combined offensive operation together.” The campaign is “not about days, this is about weeks. This is a major campaign designed to set the conditions for regime collapse.” It may take weeks of bombing, but America and Israel are setting about removing a diabolical and evil regime to allow the people of Iran to take over and start fresh.

Dave is a retired U.S. Air Force Pilot with over 180 combat missions in Vietnam. He is the former Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller and has served in executive positions in the private sector aerospace and defense industry. This article was first published HERE