Larijani says 'delusional' Trump sacrificing US troops for Israel
Iran's top security official Ali Larijani on Monday morning accused US President Donald Trump of plunging the region into turmoil with what he called “delusional ambitions,” saying Washington is now worried about further American casualties.
"Trump dragged the region into chaos with 'delusional ambitions' and is now concerned about further casualties among American forces," Larijani said in a post on X.
"With delusional conduct, he turned his self-made slogan “America First” into “Israel First” and sacrificed American soldiers for Israel’s power-seeking.…And with new fabrications, he once again imposes the cost of his personality cult on American soldiers and their families."
Concerns over the activation of Iran’s sleeper cells in America have increased after a deadly shooting in Austin involving a suspect with alleged ties to Iran and a separate gun attack on an Iranian dissident’s gym in Canada.
A flag of the Islamic Republic and photographs of Iranian regime leaders were discovered inside the apartment of the suspect in the deadly Austin bar shooting, CBS News reported citing sources.
Authorities identified the suspect as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized US citizen originally from Senegal, the Associated Press reported, citing law enforcement officials.
He opened fire early Sunday at a bar in Austin’s West Sixth Street district, killing two people and injuring about 14 others before being shot and killed by police.
The suspect was wearing clothing bearing Islamic references, including a sweatshirt reading “Property of Allah” and a shirt featuring the flag emblem of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and a Quran was found in his vehicle, the report said.
The FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force are assisting in the investigation, and officials said there were indicators that could suggest a possible terrorism nexus, according to the Associated Press.
The suspect’s alleged X account shows a reply last year to a post by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who wrote that any strike on Iran would be “immediately reciprocated.” In response, the account identified as Ndiaga Diagne wrote that the “Islamic Revolution is eternal and here to stay until the end of time.”
Canada gym attack
Separately, hours after the announced death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran, a boxing gym in Richmond Hill, Ontario, run by Iranian-Canadian dissident activist and cruiserweight champion Salar Gholami, was struck by gunfire overnight.
Video shared by Gholami showed multiple bullet holes across the front windows of Saliwan Boxing Club on Yonge Street, some displaying pro-Iranian liberation flags and images. At least two panes were shattered, and an evidence marker was visible above one of the bullet holes.
"Seventeen live rounds were fired randomly at the gym, and it was sprayed with bullets," Gholami told Iran International, describing the shooting as intimidation directed at critics of the Islamic Republic.
"This is the result of shaking hands with the mullahs and delaying action. When the Canadian government leaves the door open for them to enter, this will no longer be a safe place even for Canadians themselves. Seventeen bullets means it could have left behind 17 Canadian bodies."
Salar Gholami's gym in Toronto hit by multiple bullets
Concerns over sleeper cells
Following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the killing of Ali Khamenei, retaliatory measures including by Iranian sleeper cells cannot be ruled out, a senior German lawmaker said on Sunday.
“The Iranian regime has repeatedly demonstrated in the past that it carries out its terror beyond its own borders,” Marc Henrichmann told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Last June, US law enforcement stepped up its monitoring of potential Iran-backed operatives within the United States amid the 12-day Israeli war on Iran which was later joined by the US.
In the days after Israel launched its attacks on Iran, the FBI under its director Kash Patel boosted surveillance over what sources cited by CBS described as Hezbollah-linked sleeper cells.
Several projectiles that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory fell in open areas, the Israeli military said early Monday, a development that may signal the beginning of Hezbollah’s engagement in the ongoing conflict in support of Iran.
"In response to projectile fire toward northern Israel, the IDF is striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon," the Israeli military said.
"Hezbollah is operating on behalf of the Iranian regime, opening fire against the Israeli civilians, and bringing ruin to Lebanon," it added.
Following the confirmed death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, an interim leadership council has assumed authority under Iran’s constitution and met on Sunday.
The council is led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje’i, and Expediency Council member Ahmad-Ali A’rafi. It will carry out Khamenei’s duties until a successor is selected by the Assembly of Experts.
The Bahrain Defense Force said on Sunday its air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 61 missiles and 34 drones launched by Iran targeting the Kingdom.
“We condemn the attacks on civilian infrastructure and private property as grave violations of international humanitarian law, principles of distinction and proportionality, and a direct threat to regional peace,” the statement said.
“Bahrain reaffirms its right to defend its sovereignty and urges residents to stay indoors except for essential activities,” the statement added.
Retired US General Jack Keane said on Fox News on Sunday that several Persian Gulf states are preparing for offensive operations in coordination with US Central Command.
Keane said the states are already defending themselves, with some preparing for combat and one reportedly having already begun operations. He added that two others are “about to get going.”
The operations, Keane said, will involve “coordinated, selected targets” under the oversight of Admiral Cooper and Central Command, and will contribute to the “offensive nature” of ongoing military actions in the region.
