Trump revives Iran regime change speculation with cryptic call for people to ‘rise up'

President Donald Trump reignited discussions about potential regime change in Iran on Tuesday night, using a cryptic message on Truth Social to question when the Iranian people would “rise up and fight.” His comments came as the U.S. administration escalated military and economic pressures against Iran, which officials claim is growing more unstable. Trump emphasized that the United States had gained near-total control of the strategic Hormuz Strait and noted that Iran’s economy was deteriorating significantly. The White House has not officially endorsed a plan for regime change, nor has it made public statements supporting such a move. However, Trump’s remarks suggest a shift toward encouraging internal dissent within Iran. During a recent appearance on Fox Business, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Iran as being in a “death spiral,” warning that economic strain was forcing the government into desperate measures. He stated that Iran’s leaders were “panicked” and resorting to “kinetic” actions due to mounting pressure. Bessent outlined three possible outcomes for Iran: either the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would turn on itself, the Iranian populace would revolt against the government, or Tehran would seek a diplomatic resolution. He likened the country’s decline to a slow financial collapse leading to sudden failure. This assessment aligns with broader concerns among analysts who believe Iran’s leadership is increasingly isolated and under siege. Miad Maleki, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Treasury sanctions official, told Fox News Digital that the U.S. government is no longer pursuing regime change through direct military intervention. He pointed out that the United States lacks the capability to deploy troops to Iran and that such action is unlikely. Instead, Maleki advocated for a strategy focused on containment, cutting off Iran’s economic resources, and empowering its citizens to challenge the current regime. Maleki stressed the importance of maintaining internet access for Iranian protesters, allowing them to organize and amplify their voices. He argued that the Iranian leadership is weaker than at any time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and warned that further military aggression could worsen Iran’s situation rather than strengthen its position. He called for continued support of grassroots movements within Iran, emphasizing the role of digital communication in sustaining resistance. Reports indicate that localized protests continue to unfold within Iran, with demonstrators facing harsh repression. These gatherings often occur in response to economic hardship and political discontent. While the exact scale and impact of these protests remain unclear, they reflect a growing sense of frustration among the Iranian population. Analysts suggest that sustained economic pressure could lead to more widespread unrest, though the likelihood of large-scale upheaval remains uncertain. As tensions escalate, the U.S. continues to apply both economic sanctions and military posturing against Iran. The administration’s approach appears to balance deterrence with the hope of fostering internal change. Whether this strategy will succeed depends on how effectively the U.S. can support dissent while avoiding direct confrontation. For now, the focus remains on monitoring developments in Iran and assessing the long-term implications of ongoing instability.