DONALD Trump has floated the idea of a regime change in Tehran to “Make Iran Great Again” after bombing the Islamic Republic.
Less than a day after the US military blitzed three key facilities central to the Iranians’ nuclear ambitions, Trump hinted that the Mullahs’ regime could well be toppled.
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United States President Donald J Trump addressed the nation after bombing IranCredit: AP
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Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be toppled, Trump suggested
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Crowds holding Iranian flags gather in the Revolution Square in the capitalCredit: Getty
Inspired by his Make America Great Again (MAGA) political movement, the president called for “Make Iran Great Again” (MIGA) – and hinted that the autocratic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be ousted.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!”
Trump’s post came despite his MAGA administration repeatedly saying the US is not looking for a regime change in Iran.
Though the Israelis have expressed great interest in toppling the top Islamist leadership in Tehran, something they think would bring peace in the Middle East.
Trump’s No2 JD Vance yesterday said that the administration’s view “has been very clear that we don’t want a regime change.”
He told NBC’s Meet The Press: “We do not want to protract this or build this out any more than it’s already been built out. We want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here.”
Speaking of the US bombings in Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said: “This mission was not and has not been about regime change.”
Trump last night hailed the US military bombing on Iran’s key nuclear facilities, saying the strikes “obliterated” Tehran’s doomsday program.
He said that the US military took the “bomb out of Iran’s hands” and caused “monumental” damage to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
But the Islamic Republic – hurt and wounded – has vowed to retaliate by striking US targets in the Middle East.
Tehran retaliated to the US bombing by approving steps to close the Strait of Hormuz – a bottleneck entrance to the Gulf where nearly a quarter of the oil shipped around the world passes through narrow waters.
Attempting to choke off Gulf oil by closing the strait could send global oil prices skyrocketing and derail the world economy.
It would also invite an almost certain conflict with the US Navy’s massive Fifth Fleet based in the Gulf, which is tasked with keeping it open.
Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces could be attacked in retaliation.
“Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,” he said in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency.
“America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences.”
Tehran has so far not followed through on its threats of retaliation against the US – either by targeting its military bases or trying to choke off global oil supplies. But that may not hold up.
Trump warned that further action could be taken if Tehran doesn’t agree to an adequate peace deal, or tries to harm American interests.
He said in a nationally televised speech at the White House: “Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
“There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days.”
Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun’s live blog below…
In pictures: Aftermath of bombing on Fordow enrichment plant
Before
After
Possible impact holes
Iran tells UN that US has ‘waged a war’ under ‘absurd pretext’
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations on Sunday slammed the United States for its strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
“The United States, a permanent member of this Council… has now once again resorted to illegal force, waged a war against my country, under a fabricated and absurd pretext: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” Amir Saeid Iravani told the UN Security Council.
Iran launches missiles towards Israel
The IDF said Iran has launched missiles towards its territory but it’s working to intercept them.
A statement said that those who received an alert “to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice”.
In pictures: Iranians protest against US strikes
US issues ‘worldwide caution’ for Americans over Mideast conflict
The US State Department issued a “worldwide caution” for Americans on Sunday, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those travelling or living abroad at an increased security risk.
“There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad,” and “the Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution,” said the State Department’s security alert.
Air defence systems activated in Tehran
US intelligence detects signs of possible attack on American bases in Iraq
American military and intelligence officials have detected signs that Iran-backed militias are preparing to attack US bases in Iraq, the New York Times reports.
Germany urges Iran to ‘immediately’ resume negotiations with US
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday called for a swift return to diplomacy after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran overnight, his spokesman said.
Iran must “immediately enter into negotiations with the US and Israel and find a diplomatic solution to the conflict”, Merz said, according to his spokesman Stefan Kornelius.
The German government believes “large parts of Iran’s nuclear programme have been damaged by the airstrikes”, Kornelius said.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Sunday said “no one thinks it’s a good thing to keep fighting” and Berlin will “keep doing everything we can to make sure we get serious negotiations going”.
“Everyone knows there has to be a negotiated solution. I think everyone’s ready for that,” he told the ARD broadcaster.
While France has expressed “concern” over the US strikes, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Washington had “taken on a responsibility in the region” in response to a “concrete threat”.
“What is important here is that a major threat has been eliminated, and I can only repeat that this is good news for the Middle East, but also for Europe,” he told ARD.
Chancellor Merz last week expressed strong support for Israel’s campaign against Iran, describing it as “the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us”.
Israeli strikes attack northwest Iran – report
Israeli strikes attacked several parts of northwest Iran Sunday, Iranian media reported, as fighting between the two foes raged for the 10th day.
The strikes targeted “two locations in the southwestern part of Tabriz” city, capital of the East Azerbaijan province, ISNA news agency reported, quoting Majid Farshi, the province’s crisis management authority chief.
It was not immediately clear what locations were targeted, but Farshi said the air-defence systems had been activated to counter the attack.
Trump hints at ‘regime change’ in Iran
Donald Trump hinted at interest in regime change in Iran, despite several of his administration officials earlier stressing that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites did not have that goal.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”
Iranian ambassador says US ‘decided to destroy diplomacy’ with strikes on nuclear sites
Iran said Sunday that the US decided to destroy diplomacy with its strikes on the country’s nuclear program and that the Iranian military will decide the “timing, nature and scale of Iran’s proportionate response”.
Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, spoke to an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council hours after the US inserted itself into Israel’s war against Iran by striking three nuclear sites inside the Islamic Republic.
“We will take all measures necessary,” he told the meeting.
America on alert after bombing in Iran
Vice President JD Vance warned that America is on alert for an attack on home soil by Iranian-backed terrorists after Trump’s bombing of Iran.
With its military and top Islamist leadership on the ropes, a weakened Tehran is expected to resort to asymmetric terror warfare in a bid to destabilise its adversaries.
The White House has reportedly been monitoring possible Iranian sleeper cells in the US,
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned of a “heightened threat environment” in the US following Trump’s strikes against Iran.
A ‘job well done’, says Trump
US President Trump has said the B-2 pilots who carried out the blitz on Iran’s nuclear sites have “safely” returned.
Posting on his Truth Social channel, he said: “The GREAT B-2 pilots have just landed, safely, in Missouri. Thank you for a job well done!!! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!”
Action against Iran was ‘the last line of defence’, says Israel’s ambassador
Addressing the UN Security Council, Israel’s ambassador, Danny Danon, said the repercussions would have been “catastrophic” if no action had been taken against Iran.
He said: “This is what the last line of defence looks like when every other line has failed”
Iran’s response to US strikes will be decided by its armed forces
Iran’s ambassador to the UN has said the timing and scale of the country’s response to the US bombardment will be decided by its military.
Amir-Saeid Iravani denounced “blatant US aggression” and insisted US claims against Iran are “unfounded”.
He said: “This is a historic test for this Council and for the United Nations as a whole.
“Every state and every responsible actor must rise to this occasion and condemn without ambiguity these blatant crimes.”
Lawmakers call on Congress to review Trump’s military actions in Iran
US Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said Trump should end his hostilities against Iran unless authorised by Congress.
He told CBS: “This is the US jumping into a war of choice at Donald Trump’s urging, without any compelling national security interest for the United States to act in this way, particularly without a debate and vote in Congress”.
Starmer and Trump call for Iran to return to the negotiating table
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States Donald Trump this evening.
“The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and reiterated the grave risk posed by Iran’s nuclear programme to international security. They discussed the actions taken by the United States last night to reduce the threat and agreed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
“They discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting settlement.
“They agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.”
Iran has kept hidden its nukes programme, says US ambassador
The US ambassador to the UN has urged the Security Council to “call on Iran to end its efforts to eradicate Israel”.
Speaking in New York, Dorothy Shea said Iran has “long obfuscated its nuclear weapons programme” and “stonewalled” nuclear talks.
Iran has insisted its nuclear programme is for non-military use.
20 killed in ‘ISIS’ suicide bombing in Syria
Atleast 20 people were killed and 80 injured after a terror attack on a Christian Mar Elias Church in eastern Damascus of Syria.
A suspected suicide bomber opened fire at people in the church before activating an explosive device.
ISIS likely carried out the attack, it is understood.
Iran threatens US bases in response to strikes on nuclear sites
Iran on Sunday threatened US bases in the Middle East after massive air strikes that Washington said had destroyed Tehran’s nuclear program.
Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces could be attacked in retaliation.
“Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,” he said in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency.
“America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences.”
UN Security Council’s emergency meeting underway
Netanyahu says Israel won’t end Iran campaign prematurely
He added: “We won’t get dragged into a war of attrition with Iran. When we achieve our objectives, the fighting will stop”
Israel has ‘moved closer to goals’ in Iran after US bombing, says Netanyahu
Israel was very close to meeting its goals in Iran of removing the threats of ballistic missiles and the nuclear programme, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.
“We have achieved a great deal, and thanks to President Trump, we have moved closer to our goals,” Netanyahu said in a televised press conference, adding that “when they have been reached, the operation will finish”.
Netanyahu last night hailed Donald Trump for carrying out the ‘historic’ bombing of Iranian nuke facilities.
Netanyahu said: “Congratulations, President Trump.
“Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous mind of the United States will change history.”
Trump said the US and Israel worked as a “team”, adding: “I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.
“We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we’ve gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel.”
Israeli air force carrying out strikes in Iran
The Israeli air force says it’s currently striking military infrastructure sites in Tehran and western Iran.
Muslim countries urge end to Israel’s ‘aggression’ against Iran
Foreign ministers from countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday urged Israel to end its “aggression” towards Iran, without mentioning the US strikes on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites.
Arch-rivals Israel and Iran have been at war since June 13 when Israel, claiming Tehran was on the verge of acquiring a nuclear bomb, launched a wave of devastating air strikes, killing top army commanders and scientists.
Iran immediately retaliated, and the two sides have been trading barrages since.
The ministers “condemn firmly the aggression of Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, stress the urgent need to stop Israeli attacks and their great concern regarding this dangerous escalation”, said an OIC statement
It was published at the end of an OIC meeting in Istanbul this weekend.
It made no direct reference to the US bombardment of Iran’s key nuclear facilities early Sunday, after President Donald Trump decided to join Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme.
But the OIC did denounce the “destabilisation policies of Israel in the region and its recent attacks on Iran, Syria, and Lebanon, constituting flagrant (a) violation of sovereignty and security of these countries and international law”.
Attending the OIC meeting, Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said Sunday morning that the United States and Israel had “breached a major red line”.
Tehran would hit back at the American barrage “by all means necessary”, he added.
Founded in 1969, the 57-member OIC sees its role as protecting the interests of the Muslim world and increasing Muslim solidarity.
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