As the US weighs joining Israel’s assault on Iran, questions are mounting over whether such an intervention could trigger regime change in Tehran – an outcome that risks splintering the country and sending shockwaves across the region.

Over the past week, Israel has pummeled Iran with airstrikes and Iran has sent barrages of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel. At least 24 people in Israel and 224 people in Iran have been killed in attacks since June 13, their governments have reported.

Iran said it would continue to defend itself against Israel during a UN Security Council session on Friday, while Israel's UN ambassador vowed that his country would not stop its attacks until Iran's nuclear threat is dismantled.