US-Israel attack on Iran raises concerns for Chicago-area leaders, Iranian-American refugees over violence, gas price increase

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump announced “major combat operations” against Iran on Saturday, with daytime strikes in the joint U.S.-Israel attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.

Iranian-Americans in the Chicago area say they fear what they’ve witnessed over the past few days could be a case of history repeating itself.

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Iranian state television has confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed by airstrikes in Tehran on Saturday.

Iran is responding to the U.S.-Israeli operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and several Gulf nations. On Sunday, Israel said it was again bombing targets in Tehran.

At least three U.S. service members were killed as part of the attacks on Iran. President Donald Trump said on Sunday there will “likely” be more causalities as the military operation continues.

Ali Tarokh, an Iranian refugee living in the Chicago area, is reflecting on the lessons history has taught him.

“This is a lesson that we have learned that the bombing and striking will not bring democracy and freedom for Iran,” Tarokh said.

As celebrations spread among some Iranians around the world, including in Chicago, over the death of Iran’s supreme leader, the former Iranian political prisoner, who is now adjunct professor at Loyola University, says he is both deeply opposed to the regime and going to war with Iran.

“I am seeking democracy. I am not seeking rapid changes,” Tarokh said. “Decapitating the head of the regime doesn’t change the system.”

Experts say the effects of U.S. military action in Iran is likely to have economic ripple effects in America. Oil prices rose at the opening of trading Sunday as the escalating conflict in the Middle East unsettled the global fuel supply network.

“Tomorrow I would expect some sticker shock for some areas,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analyst at GasBuddy. “This is not going to be an overnight massive spike but it will be noticeable to most motorists.”

President Trump said in his address over the weekend, the “objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”

Chicago-area congressional leaders are also raising their questions and concerns.

“There clearly wasn’t anything in the near term which posed a threat to Israel, the U.S., or any of our other allies,” Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley said. “This was a war of choice – our country is at war.”

Congressman Quigley, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, says he has not yet been briefed.

Meanwhile, ABC News reports the bipartisan “Gang of 8” and top national security leaders are set to receive a classified briefing from the Trump administration on Monday.

ABC News contributed to this report.

US-Israel attack on Iran raises concerns for Chicago-area leaders, Iranian-American refugees over violence, gas price increase

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