Israel attacks on Iran escalate – Trump leaves door open to US joining war | Newspapers summarised

Wednesday’s UK newspaper front pages are dominated by the Middle East crisis, with Donald Trump’s hints that US troops could soon join Israel in the war on Iran leading the way. Many papers pick up on the US president’s call for Iran to ‘surrender’ and his comments that they won’t kill Iran’s leader, for now. 

Elsewhere, there’s some front-page coverage of the House of Commons vote on decriminalising abortion in England and Wales, the delay of the HS2 train project and, for the tabloids, continued coverage of the grooming gangs scandal. 

Israel attacks on Iran escalate as Trump leaves door open to US joining war

The front page focus is on the possible arrival of US troops in the Middle East. 

• The FT reports Trump’s patience is “wearing thin”, suggesting he has left the food open for the United States to get involved in the conflict. 
• The i focuses on Trump’s warning to Iran’s supreme leader, saying “we are not going to kill him, at least for now.” The paper says the US president has said he is aware of the location of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 
• The Times also highlights Trump’s message to Iran’s leader, quoting the president describing him as an “easy target.” 
• The Daily Telegraph says Trump is “poised to join the war on Iran.” 
• The Daily Mail describes the situation in the Middle East as “in flames,” suggesting the US is assembling an “armada of warships” in the region ahead of possible involvement. 
• The Sun says “Trump’s armada” and warns the US and Iran now stand “on the brink” of war. 
• The Guardian says Israel’s war with Iran is heading for a “pivotal moment” as the US weighs up whether to get directly involved. 

Grooming gangs scandal – MPs’ abortion vote & UK heatwave  

A few other UK-specific stories are featured on the front pages. 

• The Daily Express continues its coverage of Baroness Louise Casey’s audit into grooming gangs, released yesterday, and has led to the UK government announcing a full national inquiry. The paper quotes Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch calling the findings from the review “one of the biggest scandals ever.” 
• The Guardian says the Commons vote to decriminalise abortion marks the “biggest step forward” in reproductive rights in almost 60 years. 
• Metro leads on health warnings issued for England as temperatures are set to hit 33C on Sunday. The five-day heatwave forecast from Wednesday means many places will be hotter than southern Europe.