Trump is hinting at regime change in Iran. Here’s what could happen if the Islamic Republic falls

As US President Donald Trump hints at regime change in the Islamic Republic, questions are mounting over what that could mean for Iran’s future and its ties to the outside world.

“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” Trump wrote on social media Sunday evening.

The President’s remarks are a shift from messaging by senior administration officials on Sunday, who said the US is not seeking regime change. While Trump did not explicitly call for it, and it’s unclear what he meant by “regime change,” his comments left the door open.

The idea of killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also surfaced during the conflict. After reportedly rejecting an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei, Trump stated last week that Khamenei was an “easy target.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not ruled out targeting Khamenei either, saying that his death is “not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end the conflict.”