LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Southern California officials on Saturday reacted after the Trump administration’s overnight attack on Iran, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said police would be providing extra security at local places of worship and other sensitive areas of the city.
“We are closely monitoring for any threats to Los Angeles’ public safety amid military action in the Middle East,” Bass said in a statement. “While there are no known credible threats at this time, LAPD has stepped up patrols near places of worship, community spaces, and other areas of the city, and we will remain vigilant in protecting our city.
“We understand that many Angelenos are affected and deeply concerned, and encourage everyone to voice their views in a peaceful way.”
Just a few hours after a strike on Iran, explosions rocked northern Israel as the country attempted to intercept incoming missiles.
The activist group ANSWER Coalition scheduled protests “against Trump’s war on Iran” in city’s across the U.S., including one outside Los Angeles City Hall at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said state officials were also monitoring the situation.
“California is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Iran and the surrounding region. Our homeland security and emergency management teams are working with federal partners to prepare for any impacts here at home,” the governor’s office said. “The State Threat Assessment Center is actively coordinating with local law enforcement partners. There is no specific or credible threat to California at this time, and we remain fully prepared and vigilant.”
President Donald Trump urged the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979.
Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, on said at least 201 people had been killed and more than 700 injured. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the region, and exchanges of fire continued into the night.
Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Smoke rose from the capital as part of strikes that Iranian media said occurred nationwide.
Some members of the Southland’s Democratic congressional delegation were quick to protest the attack.
“The self-proclaimed Peace President’ just dragged the United States back into war in the Middle East. Despite rising inflation, ongoing nationwide job losses, and mounting questions about his health, Trump is launching a war against Iran without authorization from Congress and approval from the American people,” said Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Los Angeles, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “This reckless decision risks further destabilizing a region still reeling from the aftermath of a brutal two-year war and jeopardizes the lives of 40,000 Americans and countless civilians across the region.”
Republicans for the most part praised Trump’s decision to undertake “massive combat operations” against Iran, with an eye towards liberating the Iranian people.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune applauded the president’s strikes on Iran and commended the “bravery” of U.S. service members.
“Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns,” Thune said.
ABC News and City News Service contributed to this report.
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