Trump Hints At Regime Change As Ideal For Iran While US Deploys Second Carrier Group
Washington : In a move signaling heightened US readiness amid faltering nuclear negotiations and escalating regional conflicts, President Donald Trump has indicated that a shift in Iran’s leadership might prove beneficial, as American forces deploy an additional aircraft carrier group to West Asia.
Trump highlighted the devastating human impact of ongoing strife in the area. “Legs blown off, arms blown off, faces blown off. We’ve been going on for a long time,” he remarked. He refrained from specifying potential successors to Iran’s current regime, noting simply that “there are people.”
.@POTUS on Iran: "If they give us the right deal, we won't do that — but, you know, historically, they haven't done that. I will say they want to talk — but so far, they do a lot of talking and no action." pic.twitter.com/tCAdVkx5Q5
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 13, 2026
Second Carrier Deployment
Without declaring imminent military strikes, the president affirmed Washington’s preparedness for potential escalation should diplomatic channels collapse.
The USS Gerald R Ford, recognized as the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is relocating from the Caribbean to West Asia. It will reinforce the USS Abraham Lincoln, already positioned in the region with accompanying US naval units. The Ford’s strike group had been engaged in operations near Venezuela for months, and its shift expanded American strategic capabilities in West Asia. Trump explained that this bolstered presence serves as leverage in case discussions on Iran’s nuclear program falter.
‘Bad Day for Iran’ Warning
While voicing hope for successful talks, Trump issued a stark caution about failure. “I think they’ll be successful. If they’re not, it’s going to be a bad day for Iran, very bad,” he stated.
He also engaged in extended discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, advising persistence in negotiations with Tehran. According to the Associated Press, Netanyahu is pressing the US administration to incorporate provisions in any deal that compel Iran to restrict its ballistic missile development and cease backing militant organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, 7,005 people were killed and more than 53,000 arrested. Rights groups say the toll could be higher.
Rising Regional Tensions
Gulf Arab states have expressed concerns that further military buildup could ignite a wider conflict, especially with lingering hostilities from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
US forces recently intercepted and destroyed an Iranian drone nearing the USS Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, Iran tried to intercept a US-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz last week. The new deployment was initially reported by The New York Times. Trump noted that a successful diplomatic agreement would prompt the swift withdrawal of the added carrier group. “If we have a deal, it’ll be leaving very soon,” he said.
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