Trump says he "never cared about regime change" in Iran

US President Donald Trump has said he “never cared about regime change” in Iran, while suggesting that recent US and Israeli actions have effectively altered the country’s leadership structure through the elimination of senior officials.

Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Trump argued that successive waves of Iranian leadership had been removed, leaving a new group in place, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“You talk about regime change. I never cared about regime change. It [was] never a part. But I guess you have regime change because you know better than anybody, the first group, they’re all dead. The second group, they’re dead. A part of the third group is gone,” he says, referring to echelons of the Iranian leadership.

Trump also offered a more conciliatory assessment of Iran’s current leadership, describing them as pragmatic and capable.

“And we’re dealing with people that I think are very rational people. They were nice to deal with. They were strong people, smart people. I think actually they’re smarter than the first and second group, but they’re not radicalised, and they’re, you know, looking to help their country,” he continues.

He later reiterated his broader scepticism about regime change operations.

“I don’t believe in regime change. And I’ve watched regime changes for years. They never work. It has to just happen [naturally],” Trump said.

The comments came despite earlier remarks from Trump at the start of the conflict in late February, when he appeared to signal a different objective for US strikes, calling on Iranians to overthrow their government.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations,” he said at the time.

By Aghakazim Guliyev