Iran's Foreign Ministry Spox. Esmaeil Baghaei:

We have repeatedly stated that we have no issue with the American people.

The American people should know that their leaders attacked a historic nation — whose only demand is to live freely and independently — without any justification.

China’s Foreign Minister held a call with his Israeli counterpart.

Trump will meet with German Chancellor Merz at the White House today.

An Iranian regime insider to the FT:

We had no choice but to escalate and start a big fire so everyone would see:

When our red lines were crossed in violation of all international laws, we could no longer adhere to the rules of the game.

An Iranian regime insider to the FT:

There will be further escalation.

What did they expect? If the head of the Islamic republic is targeted, do they think nothing will happen?

CENTCOM:

The Iranian regime is using mobile launchers to indiscriminately fire missiles in an attempt to inflict maximum harm across the region.

U.S. forces are hunting these threats down and without apology or hesitation, we are taking them out.

Jordan has reopened its airspace after a temporary closure, following a security review.

FBI Director Kash Patel fired about a dozen FBI agents from an elite counterintelligence unit (CI-12) that specializes in Iran and other Middle East threats, citing alleged misconduct in the Trump classified documents investigation — though he provided no evidence.

The firings came just days before Trump launched “Operation Epic Fury.”

Source: MS NOW

NEW: The EU is urging Ukraine to allow inspectors to access the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline, which carries Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.

Kyiv says a January Russian air strike severely damaged the pipeline and repairs take time, while Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of exaggerating the damage and deliberately blocking supplies.

Source: FT

IDF announced the start of a “large-scale wave of strikes” targeting infrastructure facilities in Tehran.

Iraq has halted crude oil exports from its Kurdistan region through the key pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.

Around 200,000 barrels per day of exports were shut in after producers reduced output as a precaution amid escalating Middle East conflict.

Production has dropped to about 50,000 barrels per day, now used only for local consumption.

Source: Bloomberg

John Bolton on Iran:

This isn’t something that is going to end in days or weeks.

I think it is going to be months if we are going to be successful.

Hormuz Strait: Oil tankers and cargo ships are backed up in a miles-long queue.

Since the strait handles about 20% of global oil trade, the disruption is driving oil and gas prices higher.

Israel carried out a special operation to evacuate its embassy staff from the United Arab Emirates — including Dubai and Abu Dhabi — back to Israel.

John Bolton on Iran:

Regime change does not consist of eliminating the Supreme Leader and replacing him with another Supreme Leader.

It is the entire structure of the Ayatollahs and the IRGC that needs to be removed.

NOW: A building belonging to Iran's Assembly of Experts — the body responsible for selecting Khamenei’s successor — has been attacked by Israel.

John Bolton on Iran:

I think the isolationists within the Trump administration are very worried because they suddenly see that Trump doesn’t necessarily share their philosophy.

He doesn’t have a philosophy to share.

Iranian multi-drone attack on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh caused structural damage, partially collapsed the roof, and filled the building with smoke.

Source: Washington Post

BREAKING: Western sources say Qatar carried out strikes inside Iran in the past 24 hours.

Source: Amit Segal

Iraqi oil officials to Reuters:

Iraq will be forced to cut its production by more than 3 mln bpd in a few days if oil tankers cannot move freely and reach loading ports.

Israeli official to Fox News:

We targeted the Assembly of Experts leadership council during a meeting to select a new Supreme Leader.