US President Donald Trump is receptive to renewed diplomatic talks with Iran regarding its nuclear programme, but is of the opinion that the Iranian people must think about overthrowing their government if it will not seek a peaceful solution, White House announced on Monday.
White House Press Secretary Highlights Dual Track of Diplomacy and Pressure
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in an interview with Fox News, indicated the president is still interested in diplomacy but warned that ongoing defiance by Tehran could be reason enough for internal action by its citizens.
“If the Iranian regime refuses to come to a peaceful diplomatic solution, which the president is still interested and engaging in, by the way, why shouldn’t the Iranian people take away the power of this incredibly violent regime that has been suppressing them for decades?” Leavitt said.
White House Remarks Come Amid Escalating Nuclear Tensions
The remarks come amid rising tensions between Iran and Western powers over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran has been increasing its uranium enrichment, and concerns exist over weapons development.
President Trump had pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear accord in his first term and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran. His government remains hardline on Iran’s nuclear program and its actions in the region.
US bombers attacked Iran’s well-guarded and clandestine nuclear enrichment facilities over the weekend, joining Israel’s recent military campaign to undermine Tehran’s nuclear program.
Donald Trump Suggests Regime Change
While US officials have repeatedly maintained that regime change is not Washington’s objective, President Donald Trump appeared to contradict that position on Sunday, posting on social media: “Why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???”
The White House claimed the high-risk bombing operation was a success, with Trump saying “Monumental Damage was done” to the nuclear sites. However, there is no independent verification of the extent of damage or any major setback to Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Iran has for a long time been accused by Israel, the US, and Western nations of covertly developing nuclear weapons under a civilian energy program cover, which charge Iran has denied repeatedly.
