Former Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl called Iran the “head of the snake” and backed President Donald Trump hours after the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on the country. 

Pearl, one of a handful of Jewish coaches in college basketball before his retirement in September, took to social media shortly after the U.S. joined Israel in launching preemptive strikes against Iran on Saturday morning. 

“President Trump gave Iran a chance to avoid War by simply agreeing to No Nukes. Iran launched middles at other Arab countries and Israel, huge mistake! Saudi Arabia joins our side,” Pearl wrote in post on X. 

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“Iran is head of the snake. President Trump is the leader of the free world. Defeat Evil then Peace!”

 In an earlier post on X, Pearl made a plea for a “free Iran” and “real peace” in the Middle East. 

“Lord Hear Our Prayer Please put your hedge of protection over our heroic armed service as they target Iran military and missile sites with Operation Epic Fury. Pray for the innocent Pray for the enemy to be destroyed, a free Iran and then for real Peace in the Middle East.” 

Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl signals to players against the Florida Gators during the first half in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.  (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)

In video remarks posted to Truth Social, Trump encouraged the Iranian people to take over their government once the United States and Israel finished “major combat operations” in Iran.

“The hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside,” he said addressing the Iranian people. “This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No President was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a President who is giving you what you want.”

Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes targeting U.S. facilities in multiple countries. Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reported that approximately 40 missiles had landed in Israel. Additionally, Iran appeared to hit the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, but no casualties were reported. Iran also launched missiles at Saudi Arabia and Jordan, where the U.S. has squadrons of advanced fighter jets, Griffin added.

Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026. (Reuters)

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Pearl, an outspoken supporter of Israel since the Oct. 7 attacks, was named chairman of the board of directors for the U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA) in April. At the time of the announcement, Pearl said he was “proud to continue advocating for greater understanding and collaboration” between the U.S. and Israel.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz and Rachel Wolf contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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It’s the final day of the month, and we have great matches across Europe for you to enjoy!

We kick things off in the Premier League, as the race for the top four becomes tighter. Liverpool needing a win against relegation battlers West Ham United to stay in touch in the fight for a spot in the Champions League next season. Later, we have Leeds United looking to spoil Manchester City‘s title hopes as they host Pep Guardiola’s team at Elland Road.

Elsewhere, in LaLiga, Barcelona look to continue to remain top of the league as they host Levante, and, in the Bundesliga, it’s Der Klassiker as Borussia Dortmund hope to halt Bayern Munich‘s potential title hopes.

Enjoy all the updates from Saturday’s matches.

Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan set a new benchmark at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after becoming the highest run-scorer in a single edition of the tournament.

Farhan achieved the milestone during Pakistan’s Super Eight match against Sri Lanka at Pallekele on Saturday, moving past former India captain Virat Kohli, who scored 319 runs in the 2014 edition.

The right-handed opener now leads the run charts with 323* runs, underlining a standout campaign that has included a century and two half-centuries for Pakistan at the T20 World Cup 2026.

Farhan’s consistency at the top of the order has been one of the few certainties for Pakistan in a tightly contested tournament.

Most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition

323 – Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistan (2026)*

319 – Virat Kohli, India (2014)

317 – Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka (2009)

303 – Babar Azam, Pakistan (2021)

302 – Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka (2010)

The match also saw Pakistan shatter several records. Farhan and Fakhar Zaman stitched together a 176-run opening partnership — the highest ever for the first wicket in T20 World Cup history.

The pair surpassed the previous record of 175 set by New Zealand’s Tim Seifert and Finn Allen against the United Arab Emirates in Chennai earlier in the tournament.

It was also Pakistan’s highest-ever partnership in T20 World Cup history, eclipsing the unbeaten 152-run stand between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan against India in the 2021 edition.