President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social Sunday that while “Regime Change” is not a politically correct term, he questioned why a change would not occur if the current Iranian government could not “MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN.” This statement came a day after U.S. actions against Iran, prompting inquiries into the ultimate aim of American military engagement in the Middle East.
Trump concluded by offering an Iranian adaptation of his well-known campaign acronym: “MIGA!!!”
After the United States carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, several senior officials within the Trump Administration asserted that the objective was not to overthrow Iran’s existing government.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared at a Sunday morning press conference that “this mission was not and has not been about regime change.” He explained that “the President authorized a precision operation to neutralize the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear program and the collective self-defense of our troops and our ally Israel.”
Vice President J.D. Vance told NBC on Sunday morning that “our view has been very clear that we don’t want a regime change. We do not want to protract this or build this out any more than it’s already been built out.”
Vance clarified that the U.S. is “not at war with Iran” but rather with “Iran’s nuclear program.” He further implied that the U.S. attack might help restart negotiations between the current Iranian government and the U.S., which had previously begun but stalled earlier this month. Vance stated, “I actually think it provides an opportunity to reset this relationship, reset these negotiations, and get us in a place where Iran can decide not to be a threat to its neighbors, not to be a threat to the United States,” adding, “and if they’re willing to do that, the United States is all ears.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Israel and the U.S. “” diplomacy through their recent attacks.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked on Fox News on Sunday that regime change “is certainly not the goal.” He added, “I don’t like the regime, but we’re not into the regime change business here. We’re into the safety and security of the United States business.”
He further noted, “At the end of the day, if Iran is committed to becoming a nuclear-weapons power, I do think it puts the regime at risk.” He concluded, “I think it would be the end of the regime if they tried to do that.”
Rubio encouraged Iran to engage in serious and direct negotiations with Trump, issuing a warning: “What we are seeing is that this is a President that tells you what he’s going to do, and then he does it.”
Prior to authorizing strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump had on June 17 suggested the possibility of achieving regime change by eliminating Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He had indicated that the U.S. was aware of Khamenei’s whereabouts and that he was “an easy target,” but stated that “for now” his life would be spared. Trump also remarked, “But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers,” and warned, “Our patience is wearing thin.”
After Saturday’s attack, as Iran indicated its intention to retaliate, Trump stated: “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.”
Last week, following an Iranian strike on an Israeli , Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz commented that Khamenei “cannot continue to exist.”
The 86-year-old Khamenei, who has governed Iran since 1989, is reportedly in a bunker amidst threats to his life and has designated possible successors in the event of his demise, according to the . Prior to this weekend’s strikes, Trump had previously stated that he desired “” from the Iranian regime. However, Khamenei then responded that the U.S. President “should make threats against those who are afraid of being threatened. The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats.”