TEHRAN — U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel against Iran has effectively resulted in regime change, adding that a deal with Tehran could be reached “soon.”
Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, cited the number of Iranian leaders killed during the month-long conflict, saying Washington was now dealing with a “much more reasonable” leadership. “We’ve had regime change,” he said. “We’re dealing with different people than anybody’s dealt with before.” He added that a potential agreement with Iran could come in the near term.
The conflict continued to escalate across the region, with Iran launching strikes on Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, following reported attacks on Iranian electrical facilities that caused power outages in parts of Tehran and nearby areas. In southern Lebanon, where Israel has intensified operations against Hezbollah, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said one peacekeeper was killed and another critically injured after a projectile struck a UN position. The force said the origin of the projectile remains under investigation.
Amid the violence, Pakistan has stepped in to help broker potential peace talks, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar saying both Iran and the United States had expressed confidence in Islamabad’s role as a mediator. Officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt also met in Islamabad to discuss efforts to end the conflict. However, Iranian officials remain skeptical, with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accusing Washington of using diplomacy as a cover for possible military escalation.
The war has taken a toll on civilians, with residents in Tehran reporting intense nightly bombardments. It has also triggered broader regional and economic consequences, including Iran’s reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route. The disruption has driven oil prices sharply higher, with benchmark crude prices surging past $100 per barrel.
Despite diplomatic signals, military activity continues to build. The United States has deployed additional assets to the region, including the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, as reports indicate the Pentagon is preparing for the possibility of extended ground operations, though no final decision has been announced.