Trump: "Make Iran Great Again" or Regime Change?

President Donald Trump

🇺🇸 Trump’s Shock Statement Sparks Global Fallout

In a move already drawing global scrutiny, U.S. President Donald Trump has floated the prospect of regime change in Iran, following a massive air campaign targeting the country’s nuclear infrastructure over the weekend.

Trump defended the strikes as a decisive blow, declaring on social media late Sunday, “The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!” He claimed that the bombings inflicted "monumental damage" on underground enrichment facilities using GBU-57 bunker busters and Tomahawk cruise missiles during “Operation Midnight Hammer.”

 "Make Iran Great Again" or Change the Regime?

In his online statement, Trump added that if Iran’s leaders failed to “make Iran great again,” regime change could be considered  a dramatic departure from earlier U.S. messaging which emphasized targeted military objectives, not political overthrow.

This provocative language stands in contrast to remarks from key U.S. officials, who have taken a more measured tone in the wake of the operation.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated that the goal was not regime change, but to disable Iran’s nuclear program.

• Vice President JD Vance said, “We’re not at war with Iran we’re at war with their nuclear ambitions.”

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized, “We are not seeking war.”

🇮🇷 Iran Vows Retaliation, Denounces U.S. and Israel

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the U.S. of collaborating with Israel in what he described as "criminal military aggression" and vowed that Iran would respond “at a time and place of its choosing.”

Tehran also expressed fury at the suggestion of regime change, labeling it an act of imperialism. Iran’s Parliament, meanwhile, has reportedly greenlighted a potential move to block the Strait of Hormuz, which handles over 20% of global oil shipments a decision pending final approval by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Uncertain Damage, Widening Consequences

Despite Trump’s assertion of “obliteration,” U.S. military officials are still assessing the extent of damage inflicted. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that Iran’s remaining nuclear capabilities remain unclear.

International experts echoed this uncertainty.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated: “At this time, no one — including the IAEA — can verify the underground damage at Fordow.”

Escalating Regional Fallout

The strikes have had immediate global consequences:

Airline Disruptions & Evacuations:

• Air France-KLM, British Airways, and others have canceled flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha.

• France is deploying military aircraft to evacuate citizens to Cyprus amid 4,500 consular inquiries.

• The Philippines is repatriating workers, with over 30,000 Filipinos currently in Israel.

• Australia confirmed 3,800 evacuation requests sending two military planes to assist.

Homeland Security Alert:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning of potential cyberattacks or hate crimes in response to the strikes, although no specific threats have been confirmed.

Iran Turns to Russia, Rejects Talks

As the dust settles, Iran appears to be pivoting toward strategic alignment with Russia. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Moscow Monday for high-level talks with President Vladimir Putin, insisting that diplomacy with the U.S. is off the table at least for now.

“The U.S. has shown it does not respect international law. It only understands the language of threats,” Araqchi said in a press statement.

Final Thoughts: Flashpoint for Global Crisis?

Trump’s rhetoric paired with dramatic military action has effectively redefined the trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations. His invocation of "Make Iran Great Again" as a veiled call for regime change signals a return to aggressive, unilateral foreign policy and a rejection of multilateral diplomacy.

With Iran promising retaliation, allies mobilizing evacuations, and oil prices surging, the situation has the makings of a geopolitical crisis with global economic and security implications.

Whether this leads to all-out war or a new balance of power will depend on what happens next and whether diplomacy has any place left at the table.