President Trump said the United States should help choose Iran's next supreme leader. He made the statement in an interview published Thursday. This is the clearest sign yet that the US is aiming for regime change — replacing the Iranian government, not just damaging it.
This has been confirmed by both AP News and Al Jazeera.
What Trump Said — Confirmed by 2+ Sources
In an interview with Axios, Trump said: "I have to be involved in the appointment." He was talking about who becomes Iran's next supreme leader after the war ends.
Trump compared it to Venezuela. Earlier this year, the US helped install a new leader in Venezuela after capturing President Maduro. Trump said he wants to do the same thing in Iran.
Trump also ruled out one candidate. Mojtaba Khamenei is the son of Iran's former supreme leader, who was killed in the first US strikes on Saturday. Trump called him "a lightweight." He said the US wants "someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran."
Trump also told Iranians to "take back your country." He promised full immunity to anyone who helps. Then he added: "Or you'll face absolutely guaranteed death." He did not explain what that means or how it would work.
What Hegseth Said — Confirmed by AP News
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that American firepower over Tehran is "about to surge dramatically." He did not give details. This comes after six straight days of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran — targeting military bases, air defenses, missile sites, and nuclear facilities.
The Israeli military says it has already destroyed most of Iran's air defenses and missile launchers. Iran disputes this and continues to fire missiles and drones daily.
What Iran Said — Confirmed by AP News
Iran's ambassador to Egypt told AP News directly: Iran is not asking for talks. He denied Trump's claim that Iran wants to negotiate.
"There will be no trust in Trump," the ambassador said.
He said nuclear deal talks failed twice before. Both times ended in war. Iran is not willing to try a third time.
Iran's Foreign Minister also accused the US of committing "an atrocity at sea" for sinking the Iranian warship IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka on Wednesday, killing 87 sailors. He said the US "will come to bitterly regret" the attack.
Congress: War Continues With No Limits
The US House voted 219–212 on Thursday to reject a resolution that would have forced Trump to get Congress's approval before continuing the war. The Senate voted the same way the day before. Both votes went along party lines — Republicans backed Trump, Democrats opposed him.
This means Trump can keep bombing Iran with no congressional limits.
The Wider Picture — Confirmed by Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera reports that BRICS nations — a group that includes China, India, Russia, Brazil, and others — appear divided over the war. India is currently the chair of the group. Normally BRICS is outspoken on US military action. But India, which hosted the now-sunken Iranian warship IRIS Dena at a naval exercise just days before it was torpedoed, has stayed silent.
Iran launched more missiles and drones across the Gulf overnight. Azerbaijan accused Iran of drone attacks on its territory. Iran denied it.
Death Toll (as of early Friday, March 6)
- 🇮🇷 Iran: 1,230+ killed (Iranian officials)
- 🇺🇸 US troops: 6 killed (US Defense Department)
- 🇮🇱 Israel: ~11 killed (Israeli officials)
- 🌍 Other countries in region: deaths reported in Lebanon (120+) from separate Israel strikes
What This Means — Plain Language
The US and Israel are not just trying to stop Iran from making nuclear weapons. They are trying to change who runs Iran. Trump said it himself. That is a much bigger goal. It means this war may go on much longer than people thought.
Iran is not asking for peace. Iran is still firing missiles every day. And the US says the bombing is about to get worse.
This is the most dangerous moment in the Middle East in decades.