No one coming to Iran’s aid except Democrats, Chairman Risch says

Israel’s ambassador to the US said on Wednesday that Israeli forces successfully struck Tehran’s missile production sites and launchers, shot down a Russian-made Iranian warplane with an F‑35, and intercepted all Iranian attack drones before they could enter Israeli airspace.

The Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter said the operations targeted missiles that have threatened neighboring countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates. He added that Israeli forces continue to track remaining missile launchers and Iranian leadership.

“Today, we had a tremendous success,” he posted a video on X. “We are destroying the production sites for missiles capable of deadly strikes… We see the numbers of missiles dwindling each day, and none of the drones sent toward Israel have entered our airspace.”

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations Danny Dannon said on Wednesday the country is in an ongoing conflict with the Iranian regime, which he accused of targeting Israelis for decades and of attempted assassinations of the US president

“When you have a regime that supports terror and attacks Israelis and Americans, it’s part of an ongoing conflict, and that’s why we are continuing this conflict,” Dannon said. “But this time, we are not playing defense. This time we are pushing back, and this time we are winning.”

US House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected claims that Operation Epic Fury contradicts Republican calls for peace, saying the military action reflects the party’s long-held doctrine of “peace through strength” rather than appeasement.

“Peace is not secured through appeasement, and it’s certainly not secured by airdropping billions of dollars on terrorist regimes, which is what previous Democratic administrations have done,” Johnson said. “Peace is secured through strength.”

Johnson said the concept has defined the Republican Party throughout his lifetime and long before that, adding that the current administration is demonstrating that approach.

“That is why America is the last great superpower on the planet,” he said, adding that “all freedom-loving people around the world are grateful to God for that.”

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that its forces successfully intercepted and destroyed three cruise missiles outside Al-Kharj city, southeast of the capital.

The announcement marks the third wave of aerial attacks repelled in the same area on the same day. Earlier in the day, Saudi defenses downed nine drones and two cruise missiles. No casualties or damage were reported in any of the incidents.

The UN’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran on Wednesday condemned Israeli and US airstrikes on the country and urged an immediate halt to the conflict.

“These attacks, which were followed by Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the region, run counter to the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State,” the mission said in a statement.

The mission warned that all parties must comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilians, adding that violations could lead to accountability for war crimes and serious human rights abuses.

The mission also expressed alarm over Iran’s retaliatory attacks on neighbouring countries and raised concerns about the safety of detainees in Iran, including people arrested during nationwide protests that began on Dec. 28, 2025.