Trump Raises Iran Regime Change as Nuclear Diplomacy Restarts
US President Donald Trump said regime change in Iran could be “the best thing” that happens to the country. He made the remarks as the United States moved a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.
Trump spoke after a military event at Fort Bragg. He criticised Iran’s leadership and questioned the progress of decades of talks. He said the situation has dragged on for 47 years.
His comments came as Washington and Tehran attempt to revive diplomacy. The focus remains Iran’s long-running nuclear dispute with Western powers. The renewed talks aim to ease tensions and prevent further escalation.
According to a source briefed on the matter, US envoys will meet Iranian officials in Geneva on Tuesday. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to attend. Representatives from Oman will act as mediators.
The source also said the US envoys plan to meet officials from Russia and Ukraine on the same day. Those discussions will focus on efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Washington wants nuclear negotiations to cover more than uranium enrichment. US officials want talks to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme and regional activities. Iran has said it is willing to discuss limits on its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. However, Tehran has rejected linking nuclear talks to missile restrictions.
Trump has warned of possible military strikes if no deal is reached. Iran has promised retaliation if attacked. The strong rhetoric has increased fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
US Deploys USS Gerald R. Ford to Strengthen Military Presence
The US Department of Defense confirmed that a second aircraft carrier is heading to the region. The USS Gerald R. Ford will join the USS Abraham Lincoln and other US naval assets.
Trump said the carrier is being deployed in case diplomacy fails. He stated that the US would be ready if needed.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is the newest and largest aircraft carrier in the US fleet. It can carry more than 75 aircraft. These include F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets and E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft.
The carrier had been operating in the Caribbean. It took part in operations near Venezuela earlier this year. Officials said it will take at least a week to reach the Middle East.
The US Navy has only 11 aircraft carriers. They are considered strategic and scarce assets. Their deployments are usually scheduled months in advance. Extended missions can affect crew morale and readiness.
Supporting ships will accompany the Ford. These include the Ticonderoga-class cruiser Normandy and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers such as Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, and Roosevelt. These vessels provide missile defence and anti-submarine capabilities.
The United States last deployed two carriers to the region in June last year. At that time, US forces carried out strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
The increased military presence signals US readiness. At the same time, diplomatic talks in Geneva could shape the next phase of US-Iran relations. Markets and regional leaders are watching closely as tensions and negotiations unfold together.
