Iran holds off hitting US as Trump hints at regime change

"Peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved by the use of force," China's United Nations Ambassador Fu Cong said.

"Diplomatic means to address the Iranian nuclear issue haven't been exhausted, and there's still hope for a peaceful solution."

China helped mediate a regional spat between Iran and Saudi Arabia and has signed vast but mostly unrealized economic deals with Tehran.

Iran supplies Russia with drones fired into Ukraine, and the two Western pariah states have drawn closer.

Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia hit out a what he called the rerun of the US Iraq War, based on weapons of mass destruction which were never found.

"Again we're being asked to believe the US's fairy tales, to once again inflict suffering on millions of people living in the Middle East," Nebenzia said.

"This cements our conviction that history has taught our US colleagues nothing.

Kentucky congressman Thomas Massie called out Trump on the President's sharp post welcoming Iran regime change if Tehran doesn't "Make Iran Great Again".

"This is not America First folks," Massie wrote.

"He’s a simple minded “grandstander” who thinks it’s good politics for Iran to have the highest level Nuclear weapon, while at the same time yelling “DEATH TO AMERICA” at every chance they get," Trump blared back.

Massie, who describes his district as "Appalachiastan," said the congress should have agreed to a decision to lead the United States closer to a war with Iran.

"When two countries are bombing each other daily in a hot war, and a third country joins the bombing, that’s an act of war," Massie wrote on X after Trump announced that US forces had attacked Iranian nuclear sites.

"I’m amazed at the mental gymnastics being undertaken by neocons in DC (and their social media bots) to say we aren’t at war… so they can make war," Massie said.

Trump is facing the biggest rift yet with parts of his support base who strongly object to foreign military enterprises after failures in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Veteran commentators and influencers of Trump's Make American Again movement - Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon - have come out strongly against war.

The President's rebuke of Massie showed the administration was trying to quickly quell any dissent in the Republican party, which Trump has firmly controlled.

"Iran has killed and maimed thousands of Americans, and even took over the American Embassy in Tehran under the Carter Administration," Trump said.

"We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the “bomb” right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!) but, as usual, and despite all of the praise and accolades received, this “lightweight” Congressman is against what was so brilliantly achieved last night in Iran."

Most Republicans politicians have strongly praised Trump's decision to attack.

“The regime is collapsing. This is the weakest it has ever been since coming to power,” Reza Pahlavi told Iran International. “Even their own insiders, from the military and intelligence sectors, are telling us it’s falling apart.”

Pahlavi emphasized that this moment could become “a historic opportunity” for Iranians. “The people who have suffered under the bombs and the regime’s neglect still hope this pain will lead to the birth of a free and desirable government that they deserve.”

The exiled crown prince made the remarks in an interview with Iran International’s Morad Vaisi, amid an Israeli military campaign against the Islamic Republic and a day after US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

No need for foreign boots or money

Pahlavi rejected any suggestion that foreign powers should shape Iran’s future. “We don’t want your boots or your money. What we need is recognition that the solution is the Iranian people—not negotiations with the regime.”

"The world will see that it’s in their own interest to get behind this cause—so that Iran becomes the country that brings stability, order, peace, and security to the region."

The exiled prince expressed sorrow over damage caused to national infrastructure, including air bases and the American F-14s and F-5s bought during his father's rule before 1979, but laid the blame squarely on the Islamic Republic.

“This war is not the people’s war. It’s Khamenei’s war. And the price is being paid by the Iranian people,” he said.

He called on military and security personnel to defect. “The sooner they break away from this regime, the faster we can stop this destruction,” he said.

“These bases and infrastructures can be rebuilt—for the people, not for a regime that used them to fund its nuclear and proxy wars.”

Internet blackout

It has been four days that the Iranian people have lost their access to the internet, and the country has remained largely offline, according to the internet observatory NetBlocks.

Pahlavi said that the Islamic Republic has shut down the people's access to the internet because it fears its own citizens more than foreign attack.

"After 72 hours, diminished telecoms continue to impact the public's ability to stay informed and in touch with loved ones," Netblocks said.

The exiled prince said the internet blackout "is a sign of panic—not strength.”

“When the Supreme Leader hides like a rat in a hole and his family prepares to flee the country, it’s clear they know the end is near."

No civil war, no summary executions

Responding to concerns about post-collapse chaos, Pahlavi said, “We are not Iraq or Afghanistan. We are a nation with millennia of unity. If there’s rule of law and justice, there will be no anarchy.”

On the day after the Islamic Republic falls, he promised a lawful transition. “Unlike 1979, there will be no summary executions. Transitional justice experts are working to ensure fair trials. Everyone will have the right to defend themselves.”

He made clear that soldiers who join the people now will be part of rebuilding the country. “We will not repeat 1979. This time, we’re building a democratic system, one that guarantees equal rights for all Iranians—regardless of religion, ethnicity, or belief.”

"Our objective was the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror," US President Donald Trump said in his speech at the White House.

"Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated."

"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," Trump added.

"If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill, most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes."

"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 have gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel," Trump continued.

"God bless the Middle East. God bless Israel and God bless you, America. Thank you very much."

"Good. This was the right call," US Senator Lindsey Graham said.

"The regime deserves it. Well done, President @realDonaldTrump. To my fellow citizens: We have the best Air Force in the world."

Republicans have generally urged a hard line on Iran. Most consistently back Israeli military operations in the region and have been vocal critics of Tehran's policies.

Texas congressman Dan Crenshaw urged people to back Trump: Support President Trump. You think these decisions were easy? They weren’t. You think this means WW3? You’re wrong. You think it means American soldiers deploying to Iran? You’re wrong."

"You think it means long term stability in the Middle East and a safer future for Americans? You’re right. Because the regime that wanted ‘Death to the Great Satan’ is at its end."

Democrats have been reticent about Trump's two-month-old diplomatic effort with Iran, quietly backing its goal to deprive Iran of a nuclear weapon capability.

But criticism of a potential attack by Democrats had ramped up in recent days and early condemnation by party members was sharp.

"Trump is acting fully outside of his authority and is once again trampling on the Constitution. This is an illegal and terrifying escalation," Representative Summer Lee said.

"Dropping bombs on Iran brings us closer to war, not peace, and he is putting millions of lives at stake. Congress must immediately pass our War Powers Resolution to rein him in."

"This is insane," Massachusetts Democratic representative Jim McGovern spluttered.

"Trump just bombed Iran without Congressional approval, illegally dragging us into war in the Middle East. Have we not learned our lesson!?!?"

A rare maverick on the Democratic side is Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman, among the chamber's biggest backers of Israel.

"As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS. Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities," he said.

"I’m grateful for and salute the finest military in the world."