‘Trump declares victory as US enters Israel’s war on Iran’
Monday’s front pages lead with the US entering Israel’s war on Iran, as Trump declares victory, having bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities, claiming it was a total success. Iran has vowed a response. The UN has said it cannot verify the exact degree of damage the US strikes have caused, but that hasn’t stopped the US and Israel from congratulating each other. Last night, Israel continued its heavy bombing of Iran’s military infrastructure, and by this morning, Iran is returning fire.
The papers react to the attack, suggesting the response could spiral into an all-out war as Iran seeks to gather Russian support.
Trump declares victory
- The FT reports that “Trump declares victory with massive air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.” The paper says the US administration’s position is that it is “not at war with Iran” but “with its nuclear programme” after bombing three nuclear sites overnight. The paper says that Saturday’s American strike on Iran is a “gamble” nonetheless.
- Metro says “hammered” reporting the shock around the world following the US’s attack on Iran. The US president is pictured on the front page, where he watched the US drop two “bunker buster bombs.” The paper carries a reaction from Iran, whose FM warned of “everlasting consequences.”
- The Sun says that the nuclear sites were “blitzed” by the strikes on what it describes as “the terror state.”
Iran vows to retaliate
- The Guardian leads on Iran’s vow to retaliate. The paper calls the US attack on Iran “the most consequential intervention in a conflict in a generation.” It reports that Trump has “joined Israel in its war against Tehran” and points out that the US may be pulled into a “drawn-out war Trump had promised to avoid,” depending on Iran’s response.
- The Times reports “Iran vows revenge on US” saying Tehran plans to “choke the world’s oil supply” after its parliament voted to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane.
- The i says Trump has pushed the Middle East “to the brink” and describes a “frantic diplomatic push” led by the UK to prevent the situation spiralling.
- The Daily Telegraph reports that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran that revenge would be “the worst mistake” Iran can make. The paper goes on to say Trump’s campaign on ending the US’s involvement in foreign wars has ended, and now he’s become a “wartime leader” who must reckon with Iran’s next move.
US bombing of Iran could affect allies
- The Daily Express says the prime minister has warned of a potential escalation in the Middle East and that, due to the US bombing of Iran, the UK’s terror threat has increased.
- The Daily Mail says “Iran terror backlash” on Britain and other US allies. The paper says the business secretary has said “Iranian activity” in the UK was already “substantial” and that it “would be ‘naive’ to think it won’t increase.”
- The Daily Mirror calls on the US to “stop now” reporting the prime minister is amongst those calling for calm after the attack “risked plunging the world into war.”