Key points from recent developments U.S. Military Action Has Escalated: The United States, alongside Israel , has launched major military strikes on Iran — killing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and targeting Iranian naval, missile and nuclear-related infrastructure. Trump’s Comments Suggest Regime Change as a Goal : President Donald Trump has publicly encouraged Iranians to “take over your government” and made remarks widely interpreted as calling for regime change — framing U.S. action as an opportunity for the Iranian people to overthrow their leaders. Official Messaging Is Mixed: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pushed back on the idea that the war itself is intended to be a formal regime-change operation , saying the mission is focused on destroying threats like missiles, nuclear capabilities and Iran’s offensive military strength — while still acknowledging the regime has “changed” dramatically. Other U.S. officials, including in p...