Trump Claims Iran Regime Change Already Happened

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington may consider sharing control of the Strait of Hormuz with Iran, while also suggesting that recent military developments have effectively brought about regime change in Tehran.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said the United States could work with Iran’s leadership over the strategic waterway, a key global oil transit route.

“Maybe me and the ayatollah, whoever the next ayatollah is,” Trump said, adding that “there will also be some form of regime change, very serious regime change.”

He further claimed that US operations had already significantly altered Iran’s leadership structure. “We’ve eliminated everything there is to eliminate in Iran, including leaders,” Trump said.

The remarks come amid ongoing US-Iran contacts that Trump described as “very strong” and “productive,” with what he said were “major points of agreement” between the sides.

According to Trump, the discussions took place over the weekend and involved senior Iranian figures, though he acknowledged he has not been in contact with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and does not know his current condition.

A source familiar with the talks told The Jerusalem Post that Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf is playing a leading role in the negotiations.

Trump said his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner led the US side in talks that began Saturday night and continued into Sunday. He added that he would allow several more days for diplomacy to progress.

“I’ll give it five days,” Trump said, framing the discussions as a potential opportunity to reach a broader agreement.

The talks have reportedly included key issues such as Iran’s nuclear program. Trump reiterated his position that Iran must agree to zero uranium enrichment and surrender its existing stockpiles of enriched material.

He characterized the Iranian side as seeking a settlement. “They want to settle,” Trump said, adding that the negotiations could lead to a safer global environment if successful.

Mediators are reportedly working to arrange a formal meeting between senior US and Iranian officials later this week in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Trump’s comments suggesting regime change appears to reflect his view that the elimination of senior Iranian officials during the conflict has already reshaped the country’s leadership, even in the absence of a formal political transition.

The statements highlight a dual-track US approach, combining continued military pressure with active diplomatic engagement, as the war enters its fourth week without a clear resolution.