Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): US President Donald Trump has said sending American ground troops into Iran at this stage would be a “waste of time,” dismissing warnings from Iran’s foreign minister that such a move would end in disaster for invading forces, according to a report by NBC News.
Speaking to the network by telephone, Trump argued that Iran had already suffered major losses during the conflict. “It's a waste of time. They´ve lost everything. They've lost their navy. They´ve lost everything they can lose,” he said, brushing aside remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had warned that Iran was prepared for a US or Israeli ground invasion. Trump described the statement as a “wasted comment.”
Trump also indicated he wanted Iran’s current leadership structure dismantled quickly. “We want to go in and clean out everything,” he said, adding that Washington did not want a scenario in which someone could rebuild the system over “a 10-year period.” He said he had ideas about who could lead Iran in the future but declined to name anyone.
The US president reiterated he expected to be involved in determining Iran’s next leader after reported US-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the conflict last Saturday. Trump ruled out the possibility that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, could succeed him, dismissing him as a “lightweight.”
Heavy bombardment was reported in Tehran on Friday after Israel announced it was targeting “regime infrastructure” in a “new phase” of the war it launched with the United States against Iran.
Now in its seventh day, the conflict has expanded across the region, with Iran targeting Israel as well as locations linked to US allies including Qatar, Cyprus, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The confrontation has also spread to the Indian Ocean, where a US submarine sank an Iranian naval ship near the coast of Sri Lanka. The vessel had travelled to participate in the International Fleet Review 2026 in India and the strike reportedly killed around 87 sailors.
Former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal wrote on X that, “I am told that as per protocol for this exercise, ships cannot carry any ammunition. It was defenceless.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected calls for a ceasefire, saying there was no reason for Tehran to negotiate with Washington. Despite the pressure, Iranian forces have continued retaliatory strikes. According to Drop Site News, Iran has warned that it has not yet deployed its “new” weapons.
A spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, said, “The enemy should expect painful blows in every operational wave,” adding that Iran’s “new innovations and weapons” have not yet been used on a large scale.
Israel’s military chief Eyal Zamir said the US-Israeli campaign had entered the next phase and would “further dismantle the regime and its military capabilities,” while hinting at “additional surprises.” US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also said that “firepower over Iran and over Tehran is about to surge dramatically.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards responded by firing missiles toward Tel Aviv after an earlier explosion in central Israel caused a fire at a residential building. While international media reported hearing multiple blasts in the city, while rocket trails were seen over Netanya.
Amid the escalating conflict, Trump also voiced support for Iranian Kurdish militias operating in Iraq. Speaking to Reuters, he said, “I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I'd be all for it.” Security sources reported two Iranian drone strikes on an opposition camp in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, vowed retaliation after drones believed to be Iranian crossed into the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and injured four people, condemning the incident as an “unprovoked act of terror and aggression.”
The Lebanese group Hezbollah also launched missiles toward Israel as Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 123 people, forcing thousands to flee southern Beirut.
Iran has also targeted US bases in Gulf countries, including Qatar, where a drone aimed at the US base in Al-Udeid Air Base was intercepted. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three ballistic missiles, while Bahrain reported an alleged attack on a hotel and residential buildings.
Inside Iran, the civilian toll is rising, with at least 1,230 people reported dead, including 175 schoolchildren killed in a US-Israeli missile strike in Minab. In Lebanon, 77 people have died, while two paramedics were killed in Shiraz, according to Al Jazeera.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society says 3,643 civilian sites have been damaged in US-Israeli attacks, including 3,090 homes, 528 commercial facilities, 14 medical centres and nine Red Crescent sites. Its president Pir Hossein Kolivand said most of the strikes occurred in “densely populated residential areas.”
US officials, including Brad Cooper of United States Central Command, said Iranian attacks had significantly declined, with ballistic missile strikes down by 90 percent and drone attacks by 83 percent, while the Pentagon confirmed it has sufficient munitions for a prolonged campaign.
Trump again emphasised that Mojtaba Khamenei would be “unacceptable” as Iran’s leader and said Washington would help determine a future leader capable of bringing “harmony and peace.” “We’re going to have to choose that person along with Iran. We’re going to have to choose that person,” he said.
The war has also disrupted global markets, energy supplies and travel. Oil prices have surged while shipping and aviation networks face major disruptions. Iran says it retains control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while the United States has indicated it may escort commercial vessels through the vital energy corridor if required.