President Donald Trump appeared to suggest on Sunday that “regime change” may be necessary in Iran in order to “MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN.” The 47th president’s comments come after the United States carried out major strikes Saturday against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In a Sunday statement on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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!!!”
Following what Trump described as a “very successful attack” on Iran’s three major nuclear program locations, the president claimed on Sunday that the damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities was “said to be ‘monumental.'” Trump added, “The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military. Thank you!”
Asked about the president’s comments regarding “regime change” in Iran on Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the “posture” of the president and the U.S. military “has not changed” following Saturday’s military strikes.
“The President was just simply raising a question that I think many people around the world are asking, if the Iranian regime refuses to give up their nuclear program or engage in talks … if they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving forward, why shouldn’t the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime,” Leavitt said.
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“That’s a question the President raised last night,” the press secretary added. “But as far as our military posture, it hasn’t changed.”
In a Sunday interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that Saturday’s strikes by the U.S. military were not an “attack on Iran” or an “attack on the Iranian people.”
“This wasn’t a regime change move,” Rubio stated. “This was designed to degrade and, or destroy three nuclear sites related to their nuclear weaponization ambitions, and that was delivered on yesterday.”
“What happens next will now depend on what Iran chooses to do next. If they choose the path of diplomacy, we’re ready,” Rubio added. “We can do a deal that’s good for them, the Iranian people and good for the world. If they choose another route, then there will be consequences for that.”
Rubio’s comments regarding a diplomatic solution to the escalating tension in the Middle East echo Trump’s statement in the aftermath of Saturday’s attacks against Iran’s nuclear facilities. In a statement immediately following the attacks, Trump said, “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”
