Trump: Regime change in Iran ‘would be the best thing that could happen’

Asked about potential regime change in Iran, US President Donald Trump tells reporters, “It seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.”

Pressed on who he’d like to take over Iran, Trump declines to answer.

Trump’s comments would appear to contradict those made by US Vice President JD Vance, who indicated earlier this week that the US was not pursuing regime change in Iran.

“If the Iranian people want to overthrow the regime, that’s up to the Iranian people,” he said, appearing to suggest that this was not the administration’s goal. What we’re focused on right now is the fact that Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.”

The US had recently appeared to be open to the idea of regime change in Iran, with President Donald Trump calling on protesters to “take over” government institutions amid the mass protests there, and reportedly asking aides for a strike plan that could help spur the toppling of the government.

But then Washington entered negotiations with Iran, which are set for a second round in the coming days. Trump has repeatedly threatened Tehran with an attack if it doesn’t agree to a deal that sees the Islamic Republic give up its capabilities to produce a nuclear weapon, roll back its ballistic missile program, and cease its support for armed proxies in the region.