Donald Trump has seemingly called for a regime change in Iran after unleashing a surprise bombing raid on the country yesterday.
The US President took to his Truth Social platform, writing that if those in power cannot "make Iran great again, [then] why wouldn't there be a regime change?"
He later coined the acronym "MIGA" in reference to his signature Make America Great Again movement.
"It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn't there be a Regime change?" the President wrote.
Just hours before Trump's social media post, his most senior officials had explicitly ruled out any attempt to overthrow Iran's Government.
Donald Trump has called for a regime change in Iran
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated at a Pentagon press conference on Sunday morning: "This mission was not, has not been, about regime change."
Vice President JD Vance echoed this position shortly afterwards, saying: "We don't want a regime change. We do not want to protract this."
Vance outlined the administration's stated objectives as ending Iran's nuclear programme before pursuing dialogue with Tehran about reaching a lasting agreement.
The President's social media intervention followed American air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.
The US deployed B-2 stealth bombers to take out Iran's key Fordow bunker, Natanz and Esfahan sites.
Trump hailed the strikes as a "spectacular military success", adding: "Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier."
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Trump has since urged Tehran to avoid retaliation and return to negotiations without delay.
Senior American officials have cautioned that removing Iran's Government could create a power vacuum and potentially drag the United States into another lengthy Middle Eastern conflict.
Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, acknowledged on Sunday that although his country would welcome regime change in Iran, it would not actively pursue such an outcome.
"That's for the Iranian people to decide, not us," Danon stated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the "bold decision" by US President Donald Trump to bomb Iran's nuclear sites.
Netanyahu added the move from the US would "change history".
JD Vance appeared to disagree with Trump's position stating: 'We don't want a regime change. We do not want to protract this'
REUTERSJohn Bolton, who served as Trump's national security adviser, believes Iran was "on the verge" of regime change after the American strikes.
Bolton suggested the President would need to employ "brutal force" should Tehran choose to retaliate.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, accused the US of committing a "grave violation of the UN Charter and international law".
He said on X: "The events are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour.
"In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people."
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