The US and Israel attack Iran as Trump calls for regime change

Saturday 28 February 2026 15.30

The US and Israel have launched attacks on Iran as President Trump called on Iranians to “take over” the country’s government, and Sir Keir Starmer condemned Iran’s counterattack.

Trump announced in a video broadcast on Truth Social that the US had launched a “major combat operation” against Iran, adding that it was ready to allow the country’s arsenal to be “completely eliminated”.

There were reports of bombs in five cities in Iran including an explosion in the capital Tehran.

Israel called its attack a “pre-emptive” measure. The IDF said Iran attacked Israel in response to the attack.

In a video statement on Saturday, Starmer did not directly comment on Trump’s attack as he insisted Britain had no role in the attack.

He added that the regime in Iran was “abhorrent” and said it posed a “direct threat to dissidents and the Jewish community” in Britain.

“Over the last year alone, they have supported more than 20 potentially deadly attacks in the UK,” Starmer said. “So it is clear that they must not develop nuclear weapons.

“This remains a key objective for the UK and our allies – including the US.”

Nuclear weapons talks fail

Talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program took place in Switzerland earlier this week. Both the US and Iran say they have made progress in reaching a deal on developing nuclear weapons.

Iran says it retains the right to enrich uranium. They also avoided discussing other issues, including the long-range missile program or support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran has warned that American military personnel and bases across the region would be targets of any retaliation, and Bahrain said a missile attack had targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in the island kingdom.

Its leaders also say they have not enriched uranium since June, but they have blocked international inspectors from visiting sites bombed by the US during last year’s 12-day war.

Iran closed its airspace and mobile phone services were cut while it emerged on Friday that British and American diplomats had been taken out of the country.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was moved to a safe location, according to Reuters.

Other countries that closed their airspace included Iraq and Israel, which also declared a state of emergency.

Iran is being urged to overthrow the government

Trump made a direct appeal to Iranians after months of protests that killed thousands, and demanded they take advantage of the attack, dubbed Operation Epic Fury.

“To the great and proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is near,” he said in a speech from Mar-a-Lago.

“Stay covered, don’t leave the house, it’s very dangerous outside, bombs will fall everywhere.

“When we’re done, take over your government. It will be yours. This may be your only chance for generations.”

He also said “terrorist regimes” must be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“The United States military is conducting massive and ongoing operations to prevent this incredibly evil and radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests.

“We will destroy their missile industry until it is completely destroyed.”

A British government spokesman said they did not want to see “further escalation” of the war in the region.

“Our main priority is the safety of British nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, which is available 24/7,” the spokesperson said.

“As part of our long-term commitment to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defense capabilities in the region, which we have recently upgraded. We are ready to protect our interests.”