Nine months after 12-day war, US, Israel seek to topple Iran's leaders

"Nearly nine months later, Iran is facing another assault, with both Israel and the United States launching attacks and saying they are seeking regime change in Tehran in a major escalation that could destabilise the entire Middle East. Saturday's assault came amid negotiations with the US over Iran's nuclear programme."

"Iran has agreed to give up its stockpile of enriched material zero accumulation and allow for full verification by the IAEA of its nuclear programme, CBS News reported, quoting Albusaidi as saying. With zero stockpiling, it becomes impossible to build a bomb regardless of enrichment levels, he added, according to CBS."

"Netanyahu has been calling for military action to destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities, saying that Tehran's atomic facilities constitute an existential threat to Israel. US and Israeli officials have said the attacks on Saturday targeted Iranian officials, missile storage and launching sites, and Iranian nuclear facilities."

The United States and Israel conducted a major military assault on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, military installations, and government ministries. The attacks occurred during active nuclear negotiations in Geneva where Iran had reportedly agreed to eliminate its enriched uranium stockpile and allow full IAEA verification. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently called for military action against Iran's nuclear program, characterizing it as an existential threat to Israel. Iran, a Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty signatory, maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only. The assault represents significant escalation following a previous 12-day conflict in June. Iranian officials and military sites, including the Ministry of Defence and Atomic Energy Organization, were struck. Iran responded with counterattacks on Israeli and US military positions throughout the Gulf region.

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