US President Donald Trump has publicly stated that if Iran refuses to negotiate over its controversial nuclear program, the Iranian people should rise up and overthrow their government. Despite this tough stance, the White House clarified that the current administration under President Joe Biden remains committed to finding a peaceful diplomatic solution and is willing to continue talks with Iran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News, “If the Iranian government refuses a peaceful diplomatic approach, which President Biden still supports and is eager to engage in, then the Iranian people have every right to challenge a violent regime that has oppressed them for decades.” This remark highlights the US government’s dual strategy of pursuing diplomacy while putting pressure on Iran’s leadership.
The statements follow the recent US airstrike on Iran’s key nuclear facility at Fordow, where the US military reportedly used powerful bunker-buster bombs weighing 30,000 pounds. This unprecedented attack targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and aimed to halt their progress. Iran has condemned the strike and vowed a strong retaliation, threatening to target US military bases and strategic assets across the Middle East.
In response, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran that any damage to American personnel or property would result in a severe and swift counterattack. The heightened tensions have raised fears of a broader conflict in the region.
After the strike, Trump called for immediate negotiations, warning Iran that any hostile retaliation would be met with “unprecedented” and “irreparable” consequences. He also did not rule out the possibility of regime change in Iran, emphasizing that the current Iranian government’s actions might lead to its downfall.
This development marks a critical moment in US-Iran relations, where diplomatic efforts coexist uneasily with military threats and regional instability.