U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that a change in power in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen,” as the Pentagon prepares to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Tehran.
Speaking to reporters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Trump was asked whether he sought “regime change” in Iran. He responded that a change of government “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” though he did not specify who he envisioned replacing the current leadership.
Trump’s remarks signal a more overt endorsement of potential regime change in Tehran, a significant escalation in rhetoric toward a long-standing U.S. adversary. They came as the U.S. confirmed that a second aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Gerald R. Ford, will be sent to the region to reinforce American military posture following earlier deployments.
The Gerald R. Ford is expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln and other naval assets already operating in the Middle East, in what the U.S. describes as preparations to pressure Iran if diplomatic efforts do not yield results.
Trump and his administration have maintained that they prefer a diplomatic resolution to confrontations with Tehran. A second round of nuclear talks between U.S. and Iranian officials is scheduled in Geneva, with envoys including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff participating in negotiations aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear and missile activities.
Despite the diplomatic track, Trump warned that military forces are ready to act should talks fail, underscoring that the increased naval presence is intended to convey U.S. resolve.
Iran has historically resisted U.S. demands to dismantle its nuclear program and end support for proxy groups in the region, and Tehran has warned it would respond forcefully to any military action.
Trump’s comments reflect a dual approach: pursuing negotiations while escalating military pressure, with the threat of a second aircraft carrier deployment designed to influence Tehran’s calculus as tensions persist.