The U.S and Israel began striking Iran on Feb. 28 during "Epic Fury," hitting more than 1,000 targets inside the country, Trump said.

The Pentagon's policy chief on Tuesday distanced the United States from the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying he was killed by an Israeli strike.Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee,

The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran is extending into its third day with each side pledging escalation.

Beijing has condemned the U.S.-backed strikes on Iran, a close partner. Yet with trade talks looming, it is unlikely to risk a rupture with Washington.

Bilal Saab, senior managing director at Trends-US and former Pentagon senior advisor in the first Trump administration, spoke with NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz about whether Iran could survive a war with the United States and what the ongoing regional escalation could mean for Iran.

Iran has made prior attempts to launch terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, but all have been thwarted in recent years. States are bracing for a heightened threat after the war.

President Donald Trump said the objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He said Iran has continued to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran’s escalating cyberwarfare poses an immediate major threat to U.S. critical infrastructure. Learn about the threat and what can be done about it.