Israel, Iran exchange attacks for fourth day

Israel, Iran exchange attacks for fourth day.

Man arrested in killing of Minnesota lawmaker had long list of targets, police say.

Early Friday morning Israel carried out a series of airstrikes in Iran which killed dozens of people, including several high ranking members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) , as well as several prominent Iranian nuclear scientists and other academics. According to Iranian officials, the vast majority of those killed, both in those attacks and attacks that have taken place since, have been civilians, among them women and children.

Israel also targeted several known Iranian nuclear sites with heavy bombardment and have continued to do so for the last several days and nights. While Israeli officials claim that they have dealt a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear project, experts both inside and outside of Iran say that this claim is in doubt. Most of the critical infrastructure for Iran’s nuclear program is deep underground. Israeli officials admit they do not possess the means to do serious damage to these facilities without the help of the US military.

While they appear to have been caught off guard by Israel’s first wave of attacks, Iran lost very little time in responding with devastating force. Despite Israel’s much vaunted air defense systems, and the assistance of the US military, Iran has managed to land dozens of ballistic missiles inside of Israel’s territory. Targets have included Israel’s key port and coastal oil refineries in Haifa, the Defense Ministry headquarters and other sites of military interest in Tel Aviv, as well as several of Israel’s military bases in the north and South of the country. Attacks are proceeding even at time of writing. Iran has vowed to continue its bombardment of Israel until dawn while Israel has ordered an evacuation of Tehran, promising strikes throughout the city—including against Iran’s civilian leadership.

Most recent official death tolls show 224 Iranians and 24 Israelis have been killed since Friday.

Israel bars departures despite danger to civilians as State Department issues “do not travel” warning for Israel.

Sen. Tim Kaine calls for war powers resolution to limit Trump’s ability to involve US militarily

Amid Iran standoff, Israel continues killing dozens of aid seekers each day in Gaza.

Man who allegedly killed Minnesota lawmakers arrested- had long list of targets, police say

On Sunday, Democratic Minnesota State lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally gunned down at their home. Another Democratic state lawmaker John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also shot and seriously injured on the same night but are expected to survive. Both of the targeted homes were in Minneapolis’ northwest suburbs.

Following a two-day manhunt, described by law enforcement as the largest in the state’s history, Vance Boelter, the 57-year-old suspect, was taken into custody near his home in farm country about an hour southwest of Minneapolis. He has been charged for two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder in what Gov. Tim Walz described as a “politically motivated” attack.

Police say Boelter was wearing a uniform mean to resemble those worn by law enforcement as well as a “realistic” mask. During his spree, the suspect drove an SUV meant to look like a police vehicle. Police found that vehicle abandoned shortly after the shootings occurred. After shooting the Hoffmans, police say that Boelter visited the homes of two other state lawmakers before his fatal shooting of the Hortmans. At one address no one was home, and at the other Boelter was confronted by law enforcement and fled. Law enforcement says Boelter had previously surveilled the homes of his potential targets.

Shortly after the shooting, police found a list of 60 Democratic lawmakers as well as abortion clinics they believe Boelter intended to target.

Fact check on online claims Boelter had close ties to Gov. Walz