Trump Raises Eyebrows Over Speculation on Iran's Regime Change

Amid ongoing tensions following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Donald Trump suggested a potential regime change in Iran, sparking debate among political figures and experts. This comes as Washington braces for possible Iranian retaliation.

Former President Donald Trump has stirred controversy with recent remarks suggesting that Iran’s leadership could face a change following U.S. military actions targeting its nuclear facilities. On Sunday, Trump took to social media, querying, "why wouldn't there be a Regime change???" His comments arrived in the wake of Saturday’s strikes, conducted in coordination with Israel, against Iranian facilities believed to be involved in nuclear development. This military initiative aimed to restrict Tehran's nuclear ambitions but was reportedly not intended to promote a regime change, as clarified by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance.

In his post, Trump stated: "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???" This assertion seemed to contradict the public stance of the U.S. administration's high-ranking officials, who emphasized that the goal of the operation was limited to curtailing Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Political analysts and former government officials showcased a range of responses to Trump's remarks. Elliott Abrams, an earlier envoy to Iran during Trump’s presidency, suggested that Trump's comments might have been made in jest, highlighting a potential misdirection. Meanwhile, the strikes from over the weekend followed escalated tensions between Israel and Iran, ignited by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s threats to eliminate Iran's nuclear program amid concerns that Iran could soon achieve nuclear weapon capabilities—an allegation Iran consistently denies.

The strikes employed advanced American "bunker-buster" bombs against underground targets, causing what Trump described as "monumental damage," although the extent of the destruction remains unclear. The UN nuclear watchdog has urged a ceasefire to allow for inspections of the affected sites. In reaction to the U.S. military actions, Iran has vowed retaliation, asserting "everlasting consequences" for the strikes.

As tensions mount, the Israeli military reported missile launches from Iran towards its territory and confirmed attacks on multiple Iranian airports. Additionally, U.S. forces in the Middle East are on heightened alert for potential Iranian reprisal. The U.S. Department of State has issued a global warning for citizens to remain vigilant amid escalating hostilities.

Iran's parliament has reportedly taken steps towards closing the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas supplies, raising alarms about potential impacts on international trade. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pleaded with China to help prevent an Iranian blockade.

These developments come on the heels of Trump's previous assertions during his 2024 presidential campaign, where he cautioned against prolonged foreign conflicts. Critics from both sides of the aisle are voicing concerns that his latest military engagement could pull the U.S. into another drawn-out conflict in the Middle East, with Congressman Thomas Massie calling Trump's actions "unconstitutional" for not seeking congressional approval before military involvement. Despite these worries, Vance continued to express trust in Trump’s military decisions, addressing the wariness around U.S. involvement after decades of complicated foreign policy.