In a barrage of statements over the weekend, President Donald Trump claimed that “regime change” in Iran is already complete and that the United States is now negotiating with what he called “a new and more rational regime.” But the olive branch came wrapped in dynamite.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump laid out an explicit threat: if a deal is not reached quickly and the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened for commerce immediately, the U.S. and Israel will “finish our wonderful stay in Iran” by “blowing up and completely obliterating all power generation stations, oil wells, and Kharg Island — and possibly all desalination plants.” He noted these targets had been deliberately left untouched so far, framing the restraint as leverage rather than mercy.
The rhetoric marks perhaps the most specific public threat Trump has made regarding Iran’s civilian infrastructure since the U.S.-Israel military campaign began. As the New York Times reported, the claim of regime change already being “complete” appeared aimed at setting the stage for negotiations from a position of dominance — though the reality on the ground remains far murkier.