Trump, Reversing an Earlier Reticence, Signals Support for Regime Change in Iran

President Trump, in a major policy shift, is encouraging Iranians to change their regime and pledging American help in their endeavor. He also is suggesting that events could move quickly now, perhaps within the next 24 hours. “Iranian patriots, keep protesting — take over your institutions,” Mr. Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Tuesday morning. “Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops. Help is on the way. MIGA.” While on a trip to Detroit, the president was asked about reports of a high number of casualties in the last few days. “Nobody has been able to give me an accurate number,” he said. “Everything is a lot. One is a lot. We will probably find out in the next 24 hours. I think it is a lot.”He did not elaborate on what could happen to change his assessment on the casualty number. An anti-regime website, Iran International, reported that up to 12,000 protesters have been killed in the last two days. CBS News also reported that as cell phone signals in the country are being unblocked, it has received reports that 12,000, and perhaps as many as 20,000, people have already lost their lives. Thousands have been arrested, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei is reportedly threatening to start killing the anti-regime protesters in custody on Wednesday.Earlier this week, Mr. Trump said he would set up meetings with officials of the Islamic Republic. The regime’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, reportedly contacted the president’s special envoy, Steven Witkoff, appealing for a meeting. On Sunday, Mr. Trump said America might need to “act” before any such talks can proceed.Instead, Mr. Witkoff met over the weekend with the exiled Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah, Axios reported Tuesday. The 65-year old Mr. Pahlavi is emerging as a central figure in the current Iranian insurrection. His picture is raised by protesters, as Iranian flags from the Shah era are waved by protesters who are also burning the Islamic Republic banner. Meeting Mr. Pahlavi might indicate a change of policy. To date, Washington has refrained from putting its weight behind an alternative leadership to the mullahs. In the aftermath of a possible fall of the regime, though, America and other countries could face a chaotic transition, which might necessitate outside intervention. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his cabinet on Tuesday night at Tel Aviv to contemplate issues facing Israel and the region. Tehran officials are threatening to retaliate against America and Israel and might hit American bases in neighboring Arab countries. They could also launch ballistic missiles toward Israeli cities, as they did twice last year. On Monday night, Mr. Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on any country that trades with Iran, targeting the country’s economy. A military option reportedly being discussed by his team is conducting a strike on Bandar Abbas refinery and port. Iran exports its oil from the city, mostly to Communist China, in violation of American and European sanctions.Depriving the mullahs of cash from illicit oil exports could threaten the cohesion of the regime. Defections among Tehran officials have been sporadic at best. Last week, Le Figaro reported that a number of officials, including the speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have applied for French visas.Yet on Monday, Mr. Ghalibaf addressed crowds at Tehran, declaring “war against terrorists.” He also vowed to teach Mr. Trump “an unforgettable lesson” if he made good on his threat to side with anti-regime protesters. “I’m not interested in regime change,” Mr. Trump said recently. His about face, promising the Iranian protesters that help is “on the way,” reflects growing assessments in American and Israeli intelligence circles that the Islamic Republic’s regime could be on its last legs.

Trump, Reversing an Earlier Reticence, Signals Support for Regime Change in Iran

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