"They should have done it sooner... They waited too long": Trump says Iran wants to talk

Codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the US and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel, the joint offensive reportedly resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous senior figures.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Khamenei as "one of the most evil people in History" and stated his death represented "justice for the people of Iran."

Amidst this decapitation of leadership, the President confirmed a potential for diplomatic engagement.

Speaking to The Atlantic magazine, Trump remarked, "They (Iran) want to talk and I have agreed to talk, so I will be balancing to them."

However, he critiqued the timing, adding, "They should have done it sooner... They waited too long."

Despite these signals, Trump affirmed that "pinpoint bombing" would continue uninterrupted to achieve "PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST."

The human cost of these operations has now come to the forefront.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that three US service members have been killed in action and five others seriously wounded.

This loss of life presents a significant political challenge for the US administration, where President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard have consistently campaigned on a "no-war" platform.

The conflict has rapidly expanded into a regional confrontation.

In retaliation, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed the "most devastating offensive operation" and claimed attacks on 27 bases hosting US troops in the Gulf region, and Israeli facilities in Tel Aviv.

Reports of Iran strikes emerged from Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait, while an oil tanker was struck off the coast of Oman.

While the IRGC claimed to have hit the USS Abraham Lincoln with four ballistic missiles, CENTCOM dismissed these reports as "rumours," stating the missiles fell short and the carrier remains operational.

In a contrasting maritime victory, CENTCOM confirmed the sinking of an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette in the Gulf of Oman, with President Trump calling on Iranian forces to "lay down your weapons" and "abandon ship."

As Israel announced on Sunday that it is now attacking targets "in the heart of Tehran," the internal situation in Iran appears deeply divided.

While the Supreme Leader's office declared 40 days of national mourning with flags at half-mast, international media outlets, including CNN and Fox News, documented public celebrations.

Visuals shared by activists and former officials showed Iranians dancing and chanting "Death to the Islamic Republic" and "Long live the Shah" in several cities, including Besat Town.

Despite the ongoing violence, a sliver of diplomatic space remains.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that Tehran has "always been open to diplomacy," despite the renewed attacks.

However, the situation remains fluid; the IDF recently detected fresh missile launches from Iran toward Israel, prompting Home Front Command to issue emergency stay-at-home directives.

As security is heightened across Tehran to prevent unrest, the world's attention is now fixed on the selection of Khamenei's successor, marking a definitive turning point in the 37-year history of the Islamic Republic. (ANI)