U.S. President Donald Trump stirred global tensions on Sunday by raising the prospect of regime change in Iran following a major military strike on Tehran’s nuclear facilities. “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change?” Trump wrote on his social media platform, while insisting the term wasn’t politically correct.
Despite Trump’s provocative message, top officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance emphasized the strikes were not aimed at toppling Iran’s government. “This mission was not about regime change,” Hegseth said, describing “Operation Midnight Hammer” as a targeted action to cripple Iran’s nuclear program.
The U.S. deployed seven B-2 bombers and over 125 military aircraft, launching 75 precision-guided munitions—including Tomahawk missiles—on three nuclear sites. Satellite imagery showed visible damage to Iran’s Fordow facility, though much of the enriched uranium was reportedly relocated beforehand.
Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel, injuring civilians in Tel Aviv, but has not yet attacked U.S. bases or disrupted oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route. The U.S. has since bolstered defenses across the region, with 40,000 troops already stationed there.
Trump hailed the operation as "monumental," while U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi noted it was too early to assess underground damage. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned Iran could produce a nuclear weapon within months, though officials stressed there’s no evidence of an active bomb program.
While protests erupted in U.S. cities, officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio said further strikes are not planned unless Iran retaliates. “We achieved our objective,” Rubio stated. “But if they mess around, we have more targets.”