Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, citing Israeli sources and American officials he has trusted for decades, has claimed that the United States will launch a heavy bombing campaign against Iran this weekend.

Hersh stated that the plan aims to completely dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and overthrow the Ayatollah-led government in Tehran.

“This is a heads-up on what is likely to happen in Iran, possibly as early as this weekend,” Hersh wrote.

The journalist confirmed the information with a long-serving US official in Washington, who reportedly said that everything would be “under control” if Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were to “step down.”

“It is not known how this could happen short of an assassination,” Hersh commented.

The goal is to overthrow Khamenei

According to Hersh, the Trump administration fully supports Israel’s plan to rid Iran of any trace of its nuclear weapons program. The report noted that American and Israeli planners never considered bringing back the Shah’s son, who is currently living in exile near Washington.

However, Hersh wrote that there were discussions within the White House planning group about installing a moderate religious leader to govern the country if Khamenei were overthrown.

“The Israelis were vehemently opposed to this idea,” Hersh noted, quoting the US official he spoke with:

“They don’t care about the religious issue, but they demand a political puppet they can control. We are divided with the Izzies (Israelis) on this. The result would be permanent hostility and a conflict that would last forever. Bibi (Netanyahu) is desperately trying to draw the US in as his ally against all Muslims, using the plight of his citizens as propaganda fodder.”

New targets: Revolutionary Guards and police stations

Hersh indicated that the planned bombing would have new targets, including bases of the Revolutionary Guards, who have countered those campaigning against the revolutionary leadership since the Shah’s overthrow in early 1979.

“The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hopes the bombing will provide ‘a means to create an uprising’ against Iran’s current regime,” Hersh said.

According to the report, Iranian police stations and government buildings containing files on suspected dissidents in Iran will also be attacked.

The ultimate target: The Fordo nuclear facility

Seymour Hersh stated that the White House has approved an all-out bombing campaign in Iran, but the ultimate target—the centrifuges located at least 80 meters underground at the Fordo facility—will not be hit this weekend.

Hersh wrote that this delay was at Trump’s insistence, as the president wanted the shock of the bombing to be minimized as much as possible by the time the Wall Street stock market opened on Monday.

Hersh also added that Trump had objected on social media this morning to a Wall Street Journal report claiming he had decided to attack Iran, writing that he had not yet decided on a path forward.

Hersh noted that the Fordo facility houses the majority of Iran’s most advanced centrifuges. According to recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency, these centrifuges have produced 900 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just a short step away from weapons-grade levels.

US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir held a special and important meeting during a time when tensions are rising in the Asian region. The meeting was held on Trump’s invitation and was not open to the media. However, both sides have released official statements afterward, which states that the main topics were discussed

The meeting focused on the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, Pakistan–India relations, especially the Kashmir issue, the situation in Afghanistan and future US–Pakistan cooperation.

Pakistan has recently improved its strategic position in the region. It has shown strong ties with China and is the only South Asian country openly supporting Iran in its conflict with Israel. Meanwhile, Pakistan remains an important player in Afghanistan.

Why the Pakistani Army Chief was invited to the US?

Although Pakistan has an elected civilian government, important decisions—especially related to foreign affairs and security—are often handled by the military. That’s why General Asim Munir was invited to meet Trump instead of the Prime Minister, General Munir’s influence has grown recently. After tensions with India, he was given the title of Field Marshal. His meeting with Trump is seen as a sign of his importance in both Pakistani and international politics.

According to the Pakistan Army’s media wing (ISPR): General Munir thanked President Trump for helping to ease recent tensions between Pakistan and India. Trump praised Pakistan’s role in fighting terrorism. Both agreed to work together in the future, especially in: Trade, Technology Minerals and energy Artificial intelligence Crypto currency and regional peace efforts as well.

President Trump also appreciated General Munir’s leadership during difficult times. Munir invited Trump to visit Pakistan, and Trump reportedly accepted the offer in principle.

Why US former peace envoy to Afghanistan, Khalilzad is not trusting Pakistan’s army chief

Former U.S. diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad criticized the meeting. He said General Munir cannot be trusted and reminded the U.S. that Pakistan has supported groups that harmed American soldiers in the past. According to Khalilzad, General Munir may be trying to get U.S. support for his interests in Afghanistan, which he believes could be risky for America.

Though no official list of US demands was made public, reports suggest a meeting was held in Saudi Arabia earlier, where American officials spoke with top Pakistani leaders. During that meeting, the U.S. reportedly made four key requests:  Pakistan should help the U.S. in counterterrorism operations when needed. Pakistan should slowly reduce its relations with China. Pakistan should recognize Israel after Saudi Arabia does. If the U.S. attacks Iran, Pakistan should support the U.S. instead of staying neutral.

These demands are similar to earlier U.S.–Pakistan arrangements during the Cold War and the War on Terror.

What could be expected in the future?

This meeting could mark the beginning of a new phase in US–Pakistan relations. In the past, Pakistan helped the U.S. during the Soviet-Afghan War and after 9/11. Now, with tensions involving Iran, India, and Afghanistan—and China expanding its role—the U.S. may again be looking to Pakistan as a key partner in the region.

Time will tell whether this leads to a long-term partnership or just another temporary agreement based on short-term goals.

Israel’s overnight attacks targeted the Arak nuclear facility, prompting a severe retaliatory response from Iran. Missiles fired at Tel Aviv and Beersheba were aimed at the Israeli army’s command and intelligence headquarters. Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered an escalation of attacks against Iran.

The week-long escalating tension between Israel and Iran reached a new level on Thursday morning with mutual attacks. The Israeli army announced it had conducted airstrikes on several targets in Iran, including the Arak nuclear facility. In retaliation, Iran launched nearly 30 missiles at various regions, primarily targeting Tel Aviv and the southern city of Beersheba.

The Israeli army confirmed it had attacked Iran’s Arak Heavy Water Nuclear Facility (Shahid Khandab Research Reactor) last night. Military officials claimed the facility housed equipment that could accelerate the development of nuclear weapons.

However, a written statement from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran’s Information Center stated, “There were no casualties or injuries in the attack. Thanks to pre-emptive security measures, there is no risk or harm to the public in the area surrounding the facility.” Iranian state television also reported that there was no nuclear leakage at the site.

Retaliation at first light

Iran’s retaliation for these attacks came in the morning. More than 20 missiles fired from Iran directly hit several locations around the capital, Tel Aviv, and in the southern Negev region.

Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that air defense systems were attempting to intercept the missiles launched from Iran. The report noted that over 20 missiles were fired, striking at least four locations in the country’s central and southern regions.

In the central region, missiles reportedly struck buildings directly in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Holon. In the south, a missile aimed at Beersheba was alleged to have hit Soroka Hospital.

Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service stated that they received reports of direct hits during the attacks around 7:10 AM and had dispatched teams to the areas. A written statement from Magen David Adom reported that 65 people were injured in Iran’s morning retaliatory missile strike, with three in serious condition. The statement added that two others were moderately injured, while the rest sustained injuries from shrapnel, the blast’s impact, or while running to shelters.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army estimated that Iran had fired around 30 missiles in its morning retaliation.

A statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleged that Iranian missiles had struck Soroka Hospital in the southern city of Beersheba. It is known that Israeli soldiers wounded in Gaza are treated at Soroka Hospital.

According to a report by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, which is close to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s retaliatory attack this morning targeted the Israeli army’s command and intelligence headquarters. The report claimed that Israeli media was attempting to portray the location as a “hospital,” but the actual targets were the Israel Defense Forces’ command and intelligence (IDF C4I) headquarters next to the hospital and an army intelligence camp in the Gav-Yam Technology Park. The report also stated that the targeted structures housed thousands of military personnel, digital command systems, and cyber operations systems belonging to the Israeli army.

Furthermore, according to Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen, Soroka Hospital, located between two military bases, was evacuated following the attack due to a suspected hazardous material leak.

Netanyahu orders an ‘increase in attacks’

Following Iran’s morning retaliation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli army to intensify its attacks on Iran. In a written statement, Netanyahu threatened that Iranian officials would “pay a price.”

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz also asserted on his social media account that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would “pay the price” for the morning’s retaliation.

In his first televised address since Friday, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, defied President Trump’s call for Iran’s surrender. “Any US military intervention will cause absolutely irreversible damage,” he said, adding, “The Iranian people will not surrender.”

While Iran’s retaliation was underway, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, visited a missile base belonging to the IRGC Aerospace Force. “We will continue our attacks relentlessly against all types of targets belonging to the Zionist occupying regime. We see no obstacles before us,” Mousavi declared.