• Trump expresses support for regime change in Iran after recent U.S. air strikes.
• Trump's comments contradict statements from his own administration regarding military objectives.
• Division grows within Trump's supporters over the implications of his remarks.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently indicated support for regime change in Iran following U.S. military air strikes on three key nuclear facilities. This announcement comes despite earlier statements from administration officials declaring that these attacks were aimed strictly at Iran's nuclear program and not intended to topple the regime. "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???” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, marking a noticeable shift in rhetoric, according to Indiatimes and Los Angeles Times.

On the same day, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized at a Pentagon briefing that the operation, termed "Operation Midnight Hammer," was not about overthrowing Iran's leadership. "This mission was not and has not been about regime change," Hegseth stated, clarifying that the objective was to neutralize threats associated with Iran's nuclear ambitions. Vice President J.D. Vance echoed these sentiments, stressing that the United States aims to focus on Iran's nuclear program rather than engage in regime change, according to South China Morning Post and TRT Global.

Trump's declaration has caused notable discord among his supporters, particularly among those who align with his previous "America First" policies, which typically rejected foreign interventions and regime changes. Critics from within the Republican party, including figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Congressman Thomas Massie, have expressed discomfort with the potential for escalating tensions in the Middle East, fearing Trump's remarks could inadvertently push the U.S. closer to a military conflict with Iran. "This wasn’t a regime-change move," Rubio stated, maintaining that the aim was specifically to degrade Iran's nuclear capabilities, according to Indiatimes.

The broader geopolitical implications of Trump's comments remain uncertain, as they stir concerns regarding possible retaliatory actions from Iran, which has previously warned against foreign aggression. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have heightened in recent months, especially following a series of military attacks and accusations surrounding nuclear weaponization. The division within Trump's support base adds another layer to this complicated diplomatic landscape, leading many to question the future trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations, according to Los Angeles Times and TRT Global.