Trump says Iran regime change would be best as second carrier heads to the Middle East
Trump says Iran regime change would be best as second carrier heads to the Middle East
Trump hints regime change in Iran would be the best outcome and confirms a second aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East amid protests, sanctions and rising regional tensions.
U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that a change in power in Iran could be the best outcome while the White House weighs potential military action against Tehran. He announced that a second aircraft carrier group is moving toward the Middle East, adding to the naval buildup in the region. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest carrier, was set to depart from the Caribbean and join other ships in the area.
Trump spoke to troops during a stop at Fort Bragg, near Fayetteville, North Carolina, saying that after years of talk, the change in Iran's leadership might be the best outcome for regional stability.
Elsewhere, tensions have risen as Iran faces ongoing crackdown on protests, with activists saying thousands have died, and mourning ceremonies are held. The United States has floated the possibility of talks with Iran, but Tehran's top security officials have engaged with intermediaries via Oman and Qatar, and no deal has materialized.
On the military side, the deployment includes the Ford joining other warships and assets already in the area, including carriers and escorts, as Gulf Arab states warn that any attack could ignite a broader conflict in West Asia, already reeling from the Gaza war.
Analysts say the move underscores the administration's willingness to use military force as leverage, but also raises the risk of miscalculation. The widening tensions come as the region watches for any potential shift in negotiations, with Iran under sanctions and domestic pressure mounting.
