WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 16) – Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his support for regime change in Iran, stating that it is “the best thing that could happen” for the Middle East nation. His comments mark one of his most direct endorsements of replacing Iran’s clerical leadership.
Speaking on Friday, Trump criticized Iran’s 47-year-old government, saying, “For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking. In the meantime, we’ve lost a lot of lives.” He did not specify who he believes should lead Iran but indicated that there are individuals capable of taking over.
Iran’s top cleric, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has yet to respond to Trump’s remarks. Meanwhile, the United States has increased military pressure on Iran by deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. Trump announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest and newest U.S. aircraft carrier, is set to move from the Caribbean to the region “very soon.” The carrier is expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is already stationed in the Middle East.
The Pentagon’s deployment follows threats of military strikes earlier this year amid Iran’s crackdown on ongoing protests that have resulted in thousands of deaths. These protests represent some of the most significant unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which established the current clerical regime.
Despite escalating tensions, Trump emphasized that diplomatic talks with Iran would continue. After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump stated that Iran should “give us a deal that they should have given us the first time” to avoid potential conflict.
The U.S. continues to push Iran to halt uranium enrichment, while Israel insists Tehran must also stop its ballistic missile program and its support for proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has indicated a willingness to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, though President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Iran would “not yield to their excessive demands.”
Trump previously withdrew the U.S. from the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal in his first term, reinstating sanctions that have heavily impacted Iran’s economy. Talks aimed at reaching a new agreement resumed last year amid rising tensions, including an ongoing 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.
