President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters that regime change in Iran would be “the best thing that could happen,” as he continues to build up the U.S. presence in the region as part of possible weeks-long operations against the Mideast nation.
Reuters, citing two U.S. officials, said that if Trump ordered an attack, it would lead to a far more serious conflict than previously seen between the two countries. However, the two nations continue to seek a diplomatic path.
Why It Matters
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated sharply over the past few months due in large part to Tehran’s crackdown on mass protests that have spread across the country in response to political anger over a declining economic situation that resulted from a sustained sanctions campaign.
Iranian leaders dismissed the protests as foreign‑backed unrest and accused Washington of interference, while rights groups documented mounting deaths and detentions amid reports of extreme repression tactics.
Trump repeatedly warned Tehran against killing or executing demonstrators and threatened “very strong action” if the violence continued.
What To Know
Speaking with reporters during his visit to Fort Bragg in North Carolina on Friday, Trump addressed questions about the growing U.S. presence in the Middle East, particularly after the president said the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is relocating from the Caribbean to join other warships and military assets in the Gulf region.
“Sometimes you have to have fear. That’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of,” Trump said.
The White House told Reuters that the president has put “all options on the table with regard to Iran,” but that he “listens to a variety of perspectives on any given issue.”
However, any final decision will be “what is best for our country and national security,” the White House said.
Two aircraft carriers have remained in the region since last summer, when the U.S. carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordow complex south of Tehran.
Any conflict would risk regional destabilization, as any strike on Iran would almost certainly be met with retaliation, and Iran boasts a significant missile arsenal, according to the unnamed officials.
Iran could strike at military bases in countries across the region, with facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump this week on Truth Social: “I have just finished meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, of Israel, and various of his Representatives. It was a very good meeting, the tremendous relationship between our two Countries continues. There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated. If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.
“Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer — That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible. Additionally, we discussed the tremendous progress being made in Gaza, and the Region in general. There is truly PEACE in the Middle East. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” the president added.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz earlier this year on X: “The Iranian regime’s whining to the UN ignores decades of sponsoring terrorism & crushing their own people. America & [POTUS] stand firmly with Iranians yearning for freedom!”
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