Democracy Now! Headlines: US Attacks Iran, Gaza Conflict Escalates, Protests Worldwide

US Escalation in Iran

• 🇺🇸 The United States attacked three Iranian nuclear sites with B2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles, an action President Trump ordered without congressional approval.
• 💥 Iran decried the attack as a violation of international law, warning of everlasting consequences, despite US claims of "spectacular military success."
• 🗣️ Intelligence assessments previously indicated Iran was not building a nuclear weapon, but Trump dismissed these findings.
• 🤝 Iranian Foreign Minister Abasaraki stated diplomacy was ongoing when the attacks occurred, criticizing the timing.

Middle East Conflict and Protests

• 🇮🇱 Israel also attacked Iranian airports and areas in Tehran, with reports of significant casualties and destruction.
• ✈️ Iran responded by launching drones and missiles at Israel, causing power outages.
• 🚢 The Iranian parliament voted to back the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
• ✊ Protests against the US strikes on Iran occurred in major US cities, with activists condemning the escalation.
• 🇵🇸 The conflict in Gaza continues, with Israeli attacks killing hundreds of Palestinians, including those seeking aid, and Amnesty International reporting the destruction of towns.

International Developments and Human Rights

• 🇬🇧 In the UK, Palestine Action activists damaged fighter jets in protest of British support for Israel's war on Gaza.
• 🇸🇾 A suicide bomb attack attributed to ISIS killed at least 22 people in a church in Damascus, Syria.
• 🇺🇸 In California, footage emerged of US Border Patrol agents pepper-spraying and beating an immigrant father.
• 🇪🇸 A father wrongfully deported to El Salvador was ordered released from jail in Tennessee but may face ICE custody.
• 🇺🇦 Russia launched a major drone and missile attack on Ukraine, killing at least 10 people in and around Kyiv.
• 🇧🇾 Belarus freed jailed opposition leader Sergey Techkonovski and other political prisoners after US-led talks.
• 🇵🇦 Panama declared a state of emergency in Bocas del Toro province due to worker protests against a contested social security reform.
• 🇺🇸 Texas became the largest state to require the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school classrooms.