Regime change in Iran 'would be the best thing that could happen', Trump says

Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi is scheduled to address a UN Human Rights Council on February 24, according to the list of speakers published by the Council.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was scheduled to speak at the Council but his name was removed following a pressure campaign by activists.

The UN's move to add Gharibabadi to the list has prompted renewed calls for diplomats to walk out in protest.

“As expected, an Islamic Republic official is back on the UN schedule,” human rights advocate Gissou Nia wrote on X on Friday. “This is why we need to tell diplomats to WALK OUT.”

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Friday called for stronger support for Iranians protesting for freedom, saying the Islamic Republic shows no willingness to compromise and that the EU must stand firmly with those risking their lives every day.

"That’s what must unite all of us - not letting down the thousands who have been in the streets since the beginning of the year, saying they have finally had enough. We let the people who protested in 2022 and 2023 down. We could have given many speeches, but we did not go as far as we needed to," Metsola said during a panel at the Munich Security Conference.

"We must send a message to those protesting every day - those risking their lives and ready to die for their country - that we stand with them. That is the only way to preserve our credibility," she added.

Metsola also referred to US Senator Lindsey Graham during the panel, saying there is no turning back after the latest protests in Iran.

"Senator Graham said this is the red line we cannot cross. That’s the line we cannot go back on. Returning would only embolden forces like Hezbollah or Hamas — and that would be a serious challenge for the European Union as well, because we are already very close to that."

“Canada condemns the additional sentencing and mistreatment of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi by the Iranian regime," Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand posted on X.

"This arbitrary detention is yet another example of the severe repression faced by the people of Iran and those defending human rights."

"We call on Iran to release all political prisoners, including those detained during the recent protests, and to provide adequate and professional medical care to everyone in custody," she added.

US President Donald Trump on Friday referred to the presence of a US armada in waters near Iran, saying Tehran should make a deal or face consequences like the June attacks.

“We have a situation right now where we sent a very big carrier group to Iran. I'd love to see if we could make a deal. They've been difficult to make a deal. I thought we would have had a deal last time,” Trump said in a speech at Fort Bragg.

“They wish they did and that's where we did midnight hammer, but with the restored strength and the tremendous power that we've now built up over the last number of years, even though we were there was an interlude with Biden," Trump said.

"The interlude, fortunately, was ended quickly, and we started the process again and built upon what we had already done the first four years."

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on Friday called on Middle Eastern countries to "thing big" and "not let this moment pass" for a regime change in Iran.

"I'm going to Israel, the UAE and Saudi Arabia next week. Here's the message, if we can get it through diplomacy, fine, but we've had it with this regime. Think big. The people are the difference," he told a panel moderated by Christiane Amanpour.

"When we started this debate, Crown Prince, the people had not spoken. They've spoken with their lives. How much more can they speak? They've been shot down the street like dogs. These are the people you want to help. These are the people that will change history."

"So, what I'm going to tell anybody will listen in the Mideast, don't let this moment pass. Be smart, but don't be locked down with fear and as to MBs and MBZ. Knock it off. Saudi Arabia, knock it off. I'm tired of this crap."