Netanyahu says Israel seeks to help Iranian people cast off ‘tyranny’

The US military is “knocking the crap” out of Iran but the “big wave” is yet to come, President Donald Trump told CNN in a nine-minute phone interview on Monday.

Asked whether the United States is taking additional steps beyond the military assault to help the Iranian people reclaim control of their country from the regime, Trump said, “Yes.”

“We are indeed. But right now we want everyone staying inside. It’s not safe out there.”

Iranian exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi told Fox News he is ready to go back to Iran "as soon as possible, whether before or right after the regime's collapse."

"It is important for me to be among my compatriots to fight the final battle and bring it to fruition," he said.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging the United Nations and world foreign ministers to take action over the US and Israeli military strikes on Iran.

In the letter, which was also sent to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and foreign ministers worldwide, Araghchi said the attacks were a “clear violation of international humanitarian law.”

He urged the UN secretary-general, the Security Council and other relevant international bodies to take “immediate, tangible and effective measures” to condemn the attacks, prevent their continuation and help bring those responsible to justice.

China urged the United States and Israel to immediately cease military action against Iran and warned that regional turmoil could harm the global economy, including energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

China’s foreign minister said Beijing supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and is willing to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stopping the war.

The minister also held calls with his Iranian, French and Omani counterparts to discuss the situation, according to Chinese state media.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday the conflict with Iran “is not Iraq” and would not become an endless war, describing current operations as limited and focused on eliminating specific military threats.

“This is not endless,” Hegseth said at a news conference, adding that the mission was “clear, devastating and decisive” and aimed at destroying Iran’s offensive missile capabilities, missile production and naval assets so that it will “never have nuclear weapons.”

Hegseth accused Iran of pursuing nuclear ambitions while building what he called a conventional shield of missiles and drones, and said US forces were striking “surgically, overwhelmingly and unapologetically.”

He said Washington’s objectives were “realistic” and centered on defending US forces, allies and shipping lanes, not regime change or nation-building.

“This is not a so-called regime change war,” he said. “We fight to win, and we don’t waste time or lives.”