US and Israel launch attack on Iran, sparking protests, celebrations nationwide

CHARLOTTE — President Donald Trump says a joint attack with Israel killed Iran’s supreme leader.

Iranian state media confirmed Ali Khamenei’s death late Saturday evening.

The country launched retaliatory attacks on Israel, U.S. military bases, and other countries it believed helped in the strikes.

The attacks come after the U.S. failed to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear program.

From coast to coast, crowds gathered both in protest and celebration to news of the attack.

Channel 9’s Glenn Counts learned some are hopeful for a regime change in Iran, while others feel the U.S. should avoid conflict in the Middle East.

You may have seen protesters marching in Uptown Charlotte Saturday.

They are not the first group calling attention to Iran. There are two groups with two very different viewpoints.

The protest started in Romare Bearden Park. Members of the Democratic Socialists believe the attack is a mistake.

“I would say look through the last several decades of history,” said organizer Zach Thomas. “Name me a single time where U.S. intervention in the Middle East has led to anything positive for the county.”

Jabril Hough is a spokesperson for the Islamic Center of Charlotte, and he feels the same way.

“When I woke up this morning, I began to mourn for the people in Iran. For the people in that region that are gonna be victims of bombs,” Hough said.

“The supreme leader is gone and that makes every freedom loving Iranian extremely happy,” said Shahram Mazhari, who opposes the regime in Iran. He has spent the last four years calling attention to the brutal dictatorship in Iran and organizing protests in the Carolinas. While Mazhari is a U.S. citizen, Iran is home.

“Anytime there is war, it’s a feeling of uncertainty because we don’t know when it’s going to end,” Mazhari said. “But summarizing that, today was a good day for me.”

In the streets, protestors were blasting President Trump.

“This is all part of Trump’s campaign. It seems to run the entire world,” Thomas said.

“He follows Netanyahu more than he follows the American people, and that’s really sad,” said Hough.

“But now he’s actually acting on his promise and is at least helping the Iranian people to topple this regime once and for all,” Mazhari said.

Protestors look at this action and see Iraq and Afghanistan all over again. Supporters say Iran is a different country and that will not happen again.

The administration did not seek congressional approval for the attack, but did brief top leaders in advance.

North Carolina U.S. Senator Ted Budd released a statement on the strikes. It reads in part, “President Trump knows well that the American people do not favor prolonged conflict... but Iran’s nuclear weapons and long rang missiles represents a grave threat to our safety and security.”

In her own statement, Democratic Congresswoman Alma Adams wrote in part, “The Iranian government’s violations of human rights and nuclear ambitions must be addressed. However, without clear and pressing need, the President must seek authorization from Congress...”

She went on to say Speaker Johnson should call the House of Representatives back to Washington.

Channel 9 will continue to follow all developments of this attack, including next steps from both the Trump administration and Iran.

WATCH: US and Israel launch an attack on Iran with tensions high over nuclear talks

US and Israel launch an attack on Iran with tensions high over nuclear talks

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