From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Trump wants to create conditions for ‘regime change’ in Iran — US sources
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US President Donald Trump is weighing options against Iran that include targeted strikes on security forces and leaders to inspire protesters, multiple sources say, even as Israeli and Arab officials say air power alone will not topple the clerical rulers.
Two US sources familiar with the discussions say Trump wants to create conditions for “regime change” after a crackdown crushed a nationwide protest movement earlier this month, killing thousands of people.
To do so, he is looking at options to hit commanders and institutions Washington holds responsible for the violence, to give protesters the confidence that they could overrun government and security buildings, they say.
One of the US sources says the options being discussed by Trump’s aides also included a much larger strike intended to have lasting impact, possibly against the ballistic missiles that can reach US allies in the Middle East or its nuclear enrichment programs.
The other US source says Trump hasn’t yet made a final decision on a course of action including whether to take the military path.
The arrival of a US aircraft carrier and supporting warships in the Middle East this week has expanded Trump’s capabilities to potentially take military action, after he repeatedly threatened intervention over Iran’s crackdown.
The Times of Israel Community.