2 w. ago It’s time for America to remember how dangerous regime change is | Christopher Chivvis

For a superpower, toppling foreign governments is not so hard to do. Getting the outcome you want isThe ceasefire between Iran and Israel might still hold, but if not, the United States might double down on its weekend strikes and seek the overthrow of the Iranian regime. Donald Trump threatened this in comments and tweets earlier, and top officials such as Marco Rubio have said they wouldn’t mind it if it happened. Israeli leaders are openly in favor. If the US goes down this road, it will not be for the first time.In the last 80 years, Washington has overthrown many regimes. For a superpower, toppling foreign governments is not so hard to do. Getting the outcome you want is. This makes regime change as dangerous as it is seductive, as past US attempts clearly show. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Why dreams of regime change in Iran will end in a rude awakening | Rajan Menon

It would be naive to believe that the US could take a wrecking ball to the Iranian state and walk away unaffectedDuring his three presidential campaigns, Donald Trump lambasted “forever wars” and “regime change” interventions. More than any candidate, he sensed the war-weariness of Americans after the fiascos in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, and especially the dismay of military veterans, 60% of whom voted for him over Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Trump’s maverick, anti-interventionist “America First” narrative also resonated strongly with those in the Maga movement who have never served in the military, particularly blue-collar workers.Now, Trump, once an unsparing critic of military misadventures, has bombed the nuclear enrichment installations of Iran, a country that hadn’t attacked the US, wasn’t preparing to and didn’t even threaten war. Since the bombing, Trump has gone further: he has ruminated about regime change in Iran. His transformation has startled many ...

Politics

2 w. ago As Iran teeters, Donald Trump should be careful what he now wishes for

Editorial: Exposed by the US bombing campaign, Iran is no longer as feared as it was – but its very weakness is evolving into a new threat to the security of the entire Middle East. This is a moment for the White House to stop listening to Benjamin Netanyahu and stare into the abyss

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2 w. ago Iran attacks US forces in Qatar as missiles launched at Iraq base housing American troops – latest updates

State TV made the announcement as martial music played; security official says missiles launched at base housing US troopsLiving in Iran: how have you been affected?Living in Israel: how have you been affected?“Monumental damage” was done to “all Nuclear sites” in Iran during the US attack on the country at the weekend, Donald Trump has said in his latest comments, after officials said the extent of damage done remained unconfirmed. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social the US president wrote:Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that - that is what this is. The US action was d...

Events

2 w. ago Trump and Netanyahu aim to remake the Middle East with bombs. Iran shows why that will always fail | Sina Toossi

The US has rashly followed Israel into a war that will not end Iran’s nuclear programme or topple its governmentSina Toossi is a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International PolicyThe joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend – targeting nuclear facilities, infrastructure and symbolic state institutions – reflect the bankruptcy of a decades-long approach to Iran that has hinged on pressure, coercion and destabilisation. This latest gambit appears less a strategic gamechanger than a desperate bid to regime-change Iran and prop up a rickety regional status quo built around unchecked Israeli dominance.The timing of Israel’s initial surprise attack on 13 June was no coincidence. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu – who has long sought to sabotage any prospect of US-Iran detente – appears to have steamrolled Donald Trump into the escalation he has always wanted. The result looks like a trap: Trump, once again, manoeuvred into a destabilising Middle East con...

Events

2 w. ago Israel strikes Iran’s Fordow nuclear site as Trump hints at regime change

The White House also scrambled on Monday to say Donald Trump was “simply raising a question” about the future of Iran’s ruling regime in posts on social media

Politics

2 w. ago The strait of Hormuz: how could Iran close it and why does it matter to global trade?

Iran’s parliament approved a measure to close the vital global trade route, through which more than a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through dailyTrump floats regime change in Iran – follow it livePresident Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites has deepened fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East.Joining Israel in the biggest western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution, the world is now bracing for Iran’s response. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago Voices: When US presidents talk of regime change, we must be careful what they wish for

With Donald Trump apparently warming to the idea of overthrowing Iran’s theocratic rulers, history reminds us that whenever the White House upturns an unsatisfactory regime, from Fidel Castro to Saddam Hussein, it contrives only to make matters worse, says Sean O’Grady

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2 w. ago No10 denies Trump is making Starmer look like a 'chump' as he snubs PM's calls for 'de

Keir Starmer and Donald Trump spoke last night after the US strikes on Tehran's nuclear sites. But No10's readout did not include any reference to 'de-escalation'.

Politics

2 w. ago Israel attacks notorious Tehran prison as it strikes symbolic regime targets

Attacks come after Donald Trump raised possibility of ‘regime change’ in Iran

Events

2 w. ago Iran and Israel launch intense wave of attacks as Trump talks of regime change

Attacks on both sides ramp up as US president questions if regime change in Tehran could ‘make Iran great again’Live coverage: region braces for Iranian response to US strikesUS-Iran crisis: what we know so farIran and Israel have launched intense waves of attacks and missile strikes after Donald Trump raised the prospect of regime change in Tehran, further provoking a situation that was drastically inflamed by US strikes on nuclear sites over the weekend.Israel’s military said on Monday it was attacking around Iran’s western city of Kermanshah. It said 15 fighter jets had struck missile launchers and storage sites close to the border with Iraq. One of its drones was downed during an operation, it said. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Former UK Ambassador to Iran says Britain has always wanted 'lasting solution' to Iran's growing Nuclear weapons programme

It comes after US President Donald Trump sensationally called for regime change, suggesting a new leader could 'Make Iran Great Again'.

Events

2 w. ago The Latest: Trump muses about regime change in Iran after U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities

Israel’s military says it is striking around Iran’s western city of Kermanshah, as fears of a wider regional conflict loom large after the United States inserted itself into Israel’s war by attacking Iranian nuclear sites

Events

2 w. ago US bombs Iran latest: Donald Trump hails 'bullseye' strikes on Iran and floats possibility of regime change

The US president authorised the overnight bombings of key nuclear sites, including the heavily fortified Fordow plant

Events

2 w. ago The strait of Hormuz: what is it, and why does it matter to global trade?

Iran’s parliament approved a measure to close the vital global trade route, through which more than a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through dailyTrump floats regime change in Iran – follow it livePresident Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites has deepened fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East.Joining Israel in the biggest western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution, the world is now bracing for Iran’s response. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump reveals where most of 'monumental damage' was done in Iran nuclear 'obliteration' as he calls for regime change: Live updates

President Donald Trump called for an Iranian regime change, less than one day after the US bombed the country's nuclear sites - triggering an array of reaction from world leaders.

Events

2 w. ago Trump suggests regime change in Iran – hours after Vance and Hegseth insisted that was not the plan

President’s Sunday afternoon Truth Social post appears to upend administration’s stated position

Politics

2 w. ago Trump taunts Iran with prospect of ‘regime change’ after strike on nuclear sites

President’s social media posts contradict officials’ claims that US does not seek to topple government

Events

2 w. ago Trump administration denies wanting war with Iran or regime change after nuclear site bombing raid

With the world reeling after Trump’s attack on Iran, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth insisted that the operation was only about ending Tehran’s ambitions for nuclear weapons

Events

3 w. ago Easy regime change in Tehran is a nice idea. But look to history: it’s a near

No one doubts the malignity of the Iranian government, but if we forget the tragedies of interventions past, we’ll make the same mistakesOn the eve of the 1991 Gulf war, a TV reporter asked the US commander Norman Schwarzkopf if he would topple Iraq’s Saddam Hussein. Stormin’ Norman replied with a memorable succinctness: “Easy say. Hard do.”Schwarzkopf knew what he was talking about. The general was a lifelong student of the Middle East region – he spent some of his childhood years in Tehran – and of military history. Indeed his successful ground-war strategy for Saddam’s defeat in Kuwait was consciously modelled on the flanking tactics used to such devastating effect by the Carthaginian commander Hannibal to defeat the Romans at Cannae in 216BC.Martin Kettle is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

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