NPR News Now is your podcast source for updates every hour on the U.S. military action in Iran.

President Trump calls it a war and says the goal is regime change.

He also says U.S. casualties are possible.

With news changing rapidly, listen to NPR News Now.

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A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the

Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.

The United States and Israel have attacked Iran. Iran has hit back striking across the Middle East.

Is this the beginning of all-out war?

This is sources and methods from NPR.

I'm Mary Louise Kelly.

It is Saturday.

It is shortly after 2 p.m. Eastern.

We're dropping in with a special sources and methods episode to bring you the latest on Iran, which is that overnight, D.C. time. The U.S. and Israel launched military strikes. Those strikes targeted Iran's top leaders, Supreme Leader Hamenei and President Massoud Peschekin, trying to kill them.

That is, according to a person briefed on Israel's operation who spoke to NPR.

Iran has responded, launching missiles at Israel, also at Saudi Arabia, also at Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, a whole list of countries that host U.S. troops. Here with me to talk this through, Greg Myrie, who covers national security and Daniel Estrin, and peers international correspondent based in Tel Aviv. Hi, you two. Hey, Mary Louise. Hi, Mary Louise. Hi. So we're going to take a deep breath. We may take more than one as we go.

I just want to walk step by step through what we know and acknowledge what we don't.

Daniel, kick us off.

Where were you?

How did you learn in the wee hours of this morning that these strikes were underway?

Mary Louise, I have to admit that I was sleeping in late today.

And I found out

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