US President Donald Trump has brought up the possibility of regime change in Iran following the US military’s unprecedented surprise overnight attack on three of Iran’s nuclear sites.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump asks “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be a regime change?”
Trump’s comments seem to contradict what US Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier in the day that the US is not seeking to topple the government in Iran via “regime change” and is not at war with the country.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed that the “punishment will continue” against Israel, in his first direct statement after the US joined Israel in attacking Iran.
In a statement posted on X, Khamenei said that “the Zionist enemy has made a big mistake, committed a big crime” and added that Israel “is being punished right now”.
Furthermore, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called the US attack “unforgivable” and says Iran has “to respond based on our legitimate right to self-defence”.
Araghchi is said to be traveling to Moscow in the coming hours for urgent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to media reports, Araghchi emphasized the “strategic partnership” between Iran and Russia saying “We always consult with each other and coordinate our positions”.
Following the attacks, there were concerns of radiation leaks. But the United Nation’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, were quick to dispel them saying there have been no reports of increased off-site radiation levels.
Staying with the Middle East, at least 22 people have been killed and 63 others wounded in a suicide bomb attack at a church in Damascus, Syria's health ministry has said.
It said that a man affiliated with the jihadist group Islamic State opened fire with a weapon at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias during a Sunday evening service before detonating an explosive vest. There was no immediate claim from the group itself.
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