Iran-Israel conflict: Will Operation Midnight Hammer lead to regime change in Tehran?

While the Trump administration maintains they are still open to negotiations with Iran, a recent post on social media has sent conflicting messages to Tehran.  "Why not a regime change?" asked US United States President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social on Sunday. Trump had earlier said the US does not intend to topple the current Ali Khamenei regime.

 

In a recent post on Truth Social, floating the idea of a regime change in Iran, Trump said, "It’s not politically correct to use the term, “Regime Change,” but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA." 

 

The US formally joined Israel's war against Iran by striking three of its key nuclear sites on Sunday. US's B-2 bombers dropped bombs on nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Fordow is where Iran’s fortified underground enrichment centre is located and the nuclear facility in Natanz was previously struck by Israel. A third site near Isfahan is where Iran is believed to have stored near-weapons-grade uranium. 

 

Israel launched pre-emptive strikes on Israel on June 13 to sabotage Iran's nuclear enrichment plans. The US and other world nations have maintained that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. 

 

However, Trump's suggestion of a regime change comes after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed in a news conference on Sunday morning that the US does not intend to topple the current regime in Iran. 

 

 "This mission was not and has not been about regime change," Hegseth said. The defence secretary said that America does not seek war with Iran. Vice President J.D. Vance said the strikes have given Tehran the possibility of returning to negotiate with Washington.

 

Vance, in an interview with NBC News said, "Our view has been very clear that we don't want a regime change." Vance added, "We do not want to protract this or build this out any more than it's already been built out. We want to end their nuclear programme, and then we want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here; the US had no interest in boots on the ground."

 

Iran has however vowed retaliation to Sunday's attacks. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Washington was fully responsible for whatever actions Tehran may take in response. "They crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities. I don't know how much room is left for diplomacy," Arghchi told press in Turkey. 

 

Middle East