In a dramatic move, President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of regime change in Tehran, casting a shadow over the coordinated messaging from his top national security officials. This suggestion comes as Trump prepares to meet with his national security team on Monday afternoon, amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
Trump has continued to assert that substantial damage has been inflicted on Iran's nuclear facilities due to recent U.S. airstrikes, although he has not provided any concrete evidence to support his claims. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is currently assessing the extent of the damage, making it a focal point for international scrutiny.
On Monday morning, the Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian cities, stretching from Tehran to Kermanshah in the west. These strikes were aimed at military infrastructure, heightening the already tense atmosphere as Iran considers its options for retaliation. Despite recent military setbacks and dwindling alliances, Iran is grappling with how to respond to U.S. actions that threaten its nuclear ambitions.
As the conflict escalates, sirens were heard across Israel on Monday morning following another missile launch from Iran. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties from this exchange, indicating a precarious balance in the ongoing hostilities.
In a significant diplomatic move, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This meeting, scheduled prior to the U.S. attacks, has raised questions about Russia's role in the conflict. While Tehran hopes for increased military support from Moscow, Russia has been cautious, opting to downplay its military partnership with Iran even in the face of Israeli airstrikes.
In response to the U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, Iranian Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of the Iranian army’s Joint Staff, issued a stern warning to Washington. He characterized the airstrikes as tantamount to an invasion, granting Tehran a "free hand" to retaliate against U.S. interests and military presence in the region, as reported by Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency.
During the predawn strike on Iran, U.S. forces utilized advanced weaponry, including 30,000-pound precision-guided “bunker busters” designed specifically for targeting underground facilities. According to top Pentagon officials, this mission involved the deployment of 14 GBU-57s, also known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), delivered by a fleet of B-2 bombers. This marked the first combat use of these munitions, underscoring the seriousness of the operation aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
In a recent social media post, President Trump reiterated his claims regarding the extensive damage inflicted on Iran's nuclear sites, stating, "Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!" This assertion aligns with reports from U.S. officials claiming that the airstrikes caused severe damage, although analysts caution against drawing definitive conclusions due to the underground nature of the facilities.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing assessments and potential consequences that could reshape the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
