What’s happening (and not happening) in Iran

Let's fact check everything you've heard about Iran this week. Beginning Saturday, the combined forces of the US and Israel attacked Iran, hitting more than a thousand targets so far and killing hundreds. You've sunk nine of my warships. Iran retaliated, striking Israel and US bases across the Middle East. Trump officials initially claimed that Iran was poised to attack first,

but on Sunday, the Pentagon admitted that there were no signs they were going to attack. Meanwhile on X, formerly Twitter, disinformation about the attacks and retaliation spread like wildfire. One video claimed to be Iran attacking Israel, but it's actually a video from last July of Israel attacking Syria. Pro-Iranian accounts also claimed that Iran successfully struck Tel Aviv, and an Iranian news outlet shared an AI-generated image of an Iran drone strike.

Iran's leader, Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in the attack. Thousands of Iranians celebrated the death of this murderous dictator even as strikes continued across Iran. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have said on multiple occasions that Iran is just two weeks out from producing a nuclear weapon. Two weeks! Not now former President Biden. Even Senator Ted Cruz said he had no indication that Iran was close to getting nuclear weapons.

So why did the US attack Iran? Was it for a regime change? Here's the timeline of explanations. On Saturday, Trump said that a regime change was a goal. But then later on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses said, This is not a so-called regime change war.

But the regime sure did change.

Likewise, on Monday, Trump didn't even mention the regime change, and instead focused on reducing Iran's missile capabilities. He said the strikes in Iran could take four to five weeks, but that the U.S. had the capabilities to go on as long as necessary. Around the same time, Defense Secretary Hegseth said this would not be an endless war. And yeah, it's still the Department of Defense, because Congress never voted for the Department of War. Similarly, Congress never even voted to attack Iran in the first place and go to war, which is pretty specifically required in the Constitution. They are going to vote this week, which may limit Trump's powers in Iran.

For years, Trump has run on being the peace president. He complained about not winning the Nobel Peace Prize, but then later was awarded the FIFA Peace Prize, which is real. On Sunday, he said this about US troops dying.

And sadly, there will likely be more. Before it ends, that's the way it is.

Since becoming president again, Trump has attacked seven different nations. He authorized more airstrikes in 2025 than Biden did in four years. Hey! Are you talking about me? Hey! Are you talking about me?

Now, President Biden!