President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States is not pursuing regime change in Iran, striking a more restrained tone compared with earlier wartime statements as Washington continues negotiations with Tehran.
Speaking to reporters in France, Trump said regime change had never been a formal objective of U.S. policy in the conflict, and argued that such efforts have historically failed. “I’ve never been interested in regime change. That was never part of it,” Trump said, according to Anadolu. “I don’t believe in regime change. I’ve seen regime change over the years, and it never works.”
Trump suggested the U.S. is now engaging with a different segment of Iran’s leadership, which he described as more pragmatic than previous groups. “The first group, they’re all dead. The second group, they’re dead. Some of the third group are gone, and we’re dealing with people I think are very rational,” he said.
He added that, in his view, current Iranian officials are more capable than earlier leadership circles but less ideologically driven. “I think they’re actually smarter than the first and second groups, but they’re not radicalized, and they want to help their country,” Trump said.
The comments mark a contrast with earlier rhetoric during the opening phase of the conflict, when Trump publicly suggested Iranians should rise up against their government. At the time, he urged citizens to seize control of the state once U.S. operations concluded, describing it as a historic opportunity for change.
“After we’re done, take over your country. It’s yours. This may be your only chance for generations,” Trump said in earlier remarks.
On Tuesday, however, Trump emphasized that the United States is not obligated to invest financially in any arrangement with Iran, while leaving the door open for future economic engagement. “We have no obligation to invest money in Iran. We’re not investing any money. We have the right to do it if we want, but we’re not investing anything,” he said.
Trump also said Washington and Tehran had reached what he described as a fair agreement, though he did not provide details on its implementation or scope. “We’ve made a deal with Iran, and for it to work, it goes into phase two, which I think will actually be easier,” he said. “We have a fair deal with Iran, a good deal.”
The remarks come as U.S. officials continue to pursue a broader diplomatic framework with Iran, even as debates persist within Washington over sanctions relief, nuclear oversight and regional security commitments.
