Washington (Web Desk): US President Donald Trump on Friday appeared to support the idea of changing Iran’s government, saying it “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” as the Pentagon dispatched a second aircraft carrier to the region amid mounting tensions.
Trump made the comments while Washington and Tehran are working to revive talks over Iran’s nuclear program. When asked who should lead Iran, he gave no names, saying only, “there are people.” He criticized decades of negotiations, noting the U.S. has suffered casualties during prolonged discussions.
The United States seeks to include Iran’s ballistic missile program, regional activities, and treatment of its citizens in the talks, while Iran is willing to negotiate restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions but refuses to link nuclear discussions to missiles.
Trump has warned of military strikes if diplomacy fails, while Tehran has promised retaliation, raising concerns of a broader conflict.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, will join the USS Abraham Lincoln and several escort ships, fighter jets, and surveillance aircraft already deployed in the Middle East. The supporting vessels have advanced capabilities, including anti-air, anti-ship, and anti-submarine systems.
Trump explained the deployment, saying, “In case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it … if we need it, we’ll have it ready.” Officials said it will take at least a week for the Ford to arrive in the region, underscoring the complexity of U.S. military logistics and the limited number of carriers.
The Ford has been at sea since June 2025, and while such long missions can affect crew morale, extended deployments are common during periods of increased military activity.