Trump signals that a leadership change in Tehran could be desirable while confirming a second US carrier deployment amid stalled nuclear talks and rising regional tensions.
As US warships reposition in West Asia and diplomatic efforts with Tehran remain uncertain, President Donald Trump has suggested that a change in Iran’s leadership could be desirable while confirming an expanded American military deployment in the region.
Speaking to reporters after visiting troops at Ft Bragg, North Carolina,
Trump said a shift in power in Tehran “would be the best thing that could happen” as his administration weighs whether to take military action.
“It seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” Trump said when asked about pressing for the ouster of Iran’s Islamic clerical leadership.
Trump’s remarks underscored growing impatience with
Iran’s leadership amid stalled negotiations and long-standing tensions. “For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking,” Trump said, referring to Iran’s clerical regime. “In the meantime, we’ve lost a lot of lives while they talk.”
He described the human toll of conflict in the region. “Legs blown off, arms blown off, faces blown off. We’ve been going on for a long time,” Trump said.
Trump declined to name a successor to Iran’s current leadership, saying only that “there are people.”
Second carrier deployment
Hours earlier, Trump confirmed the deployment of a second US aircraft carrier group to West Asia.
“In case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it,” he told journalists at the White House. “It’ll be leaving very soon. We have one out there that just arrived. If we need it we’ll have it ready, a very big force.”
The President did not announce any immediate military action but indicated that Washington is prepared for escalation if diplomacy fails.
The USS Gerald R Ford, described as the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is being moved from the Caribbean to West Asia. It will join the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is already operating in the region alongside other US naval assets.
The Ford carrier strike group had been stationed in the Caribbean for several months as part of US operations in Venezuela. Its redeployment significantly broadens US military options in West Asia. Trump said the additional deployment is intended as leverage if talks with Tehran over its nuclear programme collapse.
‘Bad day for Iran’ warning
While expressing optimism about diplomacy, Trump warned of consequences if negotiations fail. “I think they’ll be successful. If they’re not, it’s going to be a bad day for Iran, very bad,” Trump said.
The US has increased pressure on Iran following Tehran’s deadly crackdown on protests last month.
On Thursday, Trump said he expects progress on a nuclear agreement within weeks. “I guess over the next month, something like that,” he said when asked about the timeline. “It should happen quickly. They should agree very quickly.”
He also held lengthy talks on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said he advised that negotiations with Tehran should continue. According to the Associated Press, Netanyahu is urging the administration to ensure any agreement requires Iran to curb its ballistic missile programme and end support for militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, 7,005 people were killed and more than 53,000 arrested. Rights groups say the toll could be higher.
Rising regional tensions
Gulf Arab nations have warned that further military escalation could spark a broader regional conflict, particularly as tensions remain high following the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
US forces recently shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln. Iran also attempted to stop a US-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week. The new deployment was first reported by The New York Times. Trump indicated that if diplomacy succeeds, the additional carrier group would withdraw.
“If we have a deal, it’ll be leaving very soon,” he said.
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