Talks with Iran in the background, warships in the foreground; commando raids under consideration, Trump’s ultimate goal remains regime change by ousting Khamenei

An EA-18G Growler lands on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln Trump Confirms Talks with Iran; Reports Suggest Potential Military Act...

An EA-18G Growler lands on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln

Trump Confirms Talks with Iran; Reports Suggest Potential Military Action

N. Prabhakaran

DUBAI: Following U.S. President Donald Trump's confirmation on Friday that talks have been held with Iran, the New York Times reported that Trump is considering a military incursion and strikes within Iranian territory.

"Several very large and powerful ships are currently moving toward Iran. It would be better if we didn't have to use them," Trump told reporters, referring to the deployment of U.S. military assets to the region. When asked if any conversations had taken place with Iran in the recent days, he replied, "I have, and I plan to have more."

Iranian officials, however, allege that while they are utilizing diplomatic channels, the United States is not cooperating in the talks. Reports suggest that Trump has several additional military options aimed at inflicting further damage on Iran's nuclear and missile programs and weakening Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The U.S. is reportedly considering commando raids on nuclear sites that were not destroyed during the conflict in June. Direct strikes against the Iranian leadership are also being weighed, with the goal of creating enough chaos to facilitate Khamenei's ouster.

Meanwhile, Israel is exerting pressure for a joint operation to dismantle Iran's ballistic missile program. Trump appears to be employing a strategy similar to the one used in Venezuela: utilizing a massive display of military power to pressure leadership.

Countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and Oman are making diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tension. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke via telephone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing readiness to mediate. Senior officials indicate that a decisive move from Trump could occur in the coming days as U.S. military preparations reach full readiness.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, part of Strike Fighter Squadron 151, takes off from the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln during routine aerial exercises in the Arabian Sea

Reuters also reports that President Trump is considering strikes targeting Iran's security forces and rulers. Sources suggest Trump’s objective is to embolden Iranian protesters and pave the way for regime change.

CNN reports that talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending Iran's nuclear and missile programs have failed to yield results, prompting Trump toward a larger military intervention. Iran has stated it cannot accept the U.S. demand to stop uranium enrichment, maintaining that it will not negotiate under threat.

Trump’s advisors are also discussing large-scale strikes targeting nuclear or ballistic missile centers. However, Israel and certain Arab nations believe that airstrikes alone cannot topple the Iranian regime. Senior Israeli officials suggest that ground troops would be necessary to bring down the government, noting that even if Supreme Leader Khamenei were assassinated, another leader would simply take his place.

Trump has warned that Iran will face military strikes if it does not agree to a deal halting its controversial nuclear program. In June, during a 12-day conflict, the U.S. and Israel targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

Trump has also issued threats of attack in response to the brutal suppression of anti-government protests in Iran this month. Human rights organizations have confirmed that thousands were killed. By targeting the commanders and institutions responsible for the violence, he hopes to give protesters the confidence to seize government buildings.

Ballistic missiles, air defense systems, and drones displayed in Tehran, September 2025

U.S. Strategies

The United States is primarily focused on three objectives:

Eliminate Uranium Enrichment: To prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb.

Missile Control: To eliminate ballistic missiles that pose a threat to Israel and other allies.

Proxy Groups: To end Iranian support for various armed groups in the Middle East (e.g., Hezbollah, Houthis).

Many Arab and Western nations fear that a U.S. attack, rather than helping the protests, might destroy civilian morale and weaken the Iranian opposition. Currently, the U.S. military presence in the Middle East, including aircraft carriers, increases the feasibility of a military move. Observers believe Trump is using a tactic similar to his approach in Venezuela—aiming for a change in leadership rather than a total collapse of the state.

As tensions with the U.S. escalate, Iran has warned that it will retaliate strongly against any move. The Iranian military stated they are prepared to launch missile attacks against U.S. aircraft carriers and military bases in the Gulf region.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for both the U.S. and Iran to return to negotiations. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that preventing Iran from manufacturing nuclear weapons is of critical importance.