The Trump administration sent out confusing messages to Iran on Sunday. While some officials hinted at restarting peace talks after the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of regime change.
Trump posted on Truth Social, “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??? MIGA!!!” This post directly contradicted U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who earlier said, “This mission was not and has not been about regime change.”
Strike Details and Conflicting Messages
The U.S. had launched surprise airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities located in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. The operation, codenamed “Midnight Hammer”, reportedly used decoys and tactical deception. According to Air Force General Dan Caine, the strikes caused “extremely severe damage and destruction” to all three nuclear sites.
Despite the tough military action, the administration also sent out messages of diplomacy. Defence Secretary Hegseth assured reporters that America “does not seek war” with Iran. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance claimed that the attacks could give Iran “an opportunity to return to negotiations” with the United States.
However, Trump’s own tone contradicted his team’s stance. On Truth Social, he attacked political critics like Representative Thomas Massie, who had questioned whether Trump had acted with proper Congressional authority. “We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the bomb right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!),” Trump wrote.
Iran’s Possible Retaliation
Experts warn that Iran might not stay quiet. The country could take several actions to retaliate, such as:
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Blocking oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz,
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Launching attacks on U.S. military bases in the region,
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Escalating cyber-attacks, or
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Speeding up its nuclear programme, especially now that its sites have been bombed.
These options give Tehran the ability to push back, despite having a weaker military compared to the U.S.
What Lies Ahead: Diplomacy or Wider Conflict?
So far, it’s unclear whether the U.S. strikes will push Iran towards a more violent conflict or force it to rejoin peace talks. What is clear is that the conflicting messages from Washington have caused confusion both globally and at home.
While officials maintain that the operation was a success and not aimed at changing Iran’s regime, Trump’s comments suggest otherwise. Whether diplomacy wins or conflict escalates, the next few days will likely shape the future of U.S.–Iran relations.