WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that a “new leadership” had emerged in Iran, describing it as a form of “regime change” following recent military operations.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said US actions had eliminated what he described as Iran’s previous leadership, adding that a new group was now in place and its direction would be closely watched.
“We have had tremendous success in Iran,” Trump said, asserting that the country’s military leadership and capabilities had been significantly weakened. He claimed that Washington was now engaging with “the right people” in Iran who were interested in reaching a deal.
The US president further stated that Iran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons, and that future negotiations would focus on ensuring Tehran does not develop nuclear capabilities or continue uranium enrichment.
Trump did not provide evidence for his claims regarding changes in Iran’s leadership or military capacity. He also acknowledged uncertainty about the exact individuals representing Iran in ongoing contacts, but maintained that discussions were underway involving senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.
Responding to a question about continued military action, Trump indicated that developments would depend on Iran’s approach to talks, reiterating Washington’s stance that Tehran must not possess nuclear weapons.
There has been no immediate confirmation from Iranian officials regarding Trump’s claims about leadership changes or direct negotiations.