"I don't want it": Trump says US is not seeking regime change in Iran

President Donald Trump clarified Monday that he does not support a regime change in Iran, backing away from a social media post where he appeared to suggest otherwise.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump explained, “No, if there was, there was, but no I don’t want it. I’d like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible.”

His comments came after he sparked international attention over the weekend with a post on Truth Social. In that message, Trump seemed to float the idea of supporting new leadership in Iran following a series of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

“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!!!” the former president wrote on Sunday.

When asked about the meaning behind his post, Trump pointed to the dangers that often come with toppling governments. “Regime change takes chaos, and ideally we don’t want to see so much chaos,” he said.

Trump also acknowledged Iran’s potential if its leaders avoid pursuing nuclear weapons. “You know, the Iranians are very good traders, very good business people, and they’ve got a lot of oil,” he said. “They should be fine. They should be able to rebuild and do a good job. They’re never going to have nuclear but other than that, they should do a great job.”

The recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites have intensified global concern over the region’s stability. Experts say the military action marks a turning point in tensions that have long simmered between Washington and Tehran.

Policy analysts warn that conflicting statements from Trump could further complicate diplomatic efforts. “The risk of miscalculation is growing,” said Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “The more unpredictable U.S. signals become, the harder it is for Iran or our allies to chart a course forward.”

While Trump has long criticized the Iranian regime and promised a tougher stance, Monday’s remarks show a shift away from open confrontation. Still, the ambiguity remains.

“There’s a difference between strong rhetoric and strategic clarity,” said Suzanne Maloney, vice president at the Brookings Institution. “Without a consistent message, U.S. policy risks being misunderstood by both allies and adversaries.”

For now, Trump seems intent on cooling tensions, despite his weekend messaging. “We’d like to see peace,” he said. “They’ve got the tools, and we hope they use them wisely.”

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