LOS ANGELES (Oc).–President Donald Trump warned Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to cease-and-desist when killing street protesters opposed to the mullah regime. Human rights groups estimate that over 36,000 protesters have been slaughtered by the mullah regime with thousands more placed under arrest. But the real issue Trump wanted to complete with Iran was stopping its uranium enrichment program, something badly damaged in June 2025 by the 12-day Israeli war and U.S. B-2 bombing missions at Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites. “I will present the president out views regarding the principles of the negotiations—the important principles—and in my view, they are important not only for Israel, but ror anyone in the world who wants peace and security in the Middle East,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a visit to the White House.
Israel is far more concerned about Iran’s ballistic missile capability, often firing long-rang missiles at Israel during times of conflict. Netanyahu wants Trump to insist on any negotiations with Iran’s ballistic missiles are included in attempts to stop Iran;s nuclear enrichment program. Israeli officials think Iran’s ballistic missiles are an existential threat to Israel, asking Trump to include Iran’s ballistic missile capability in any future negotiation. Whether or not U.S. discussions with Iran have gone well or not is anyone’s guess. Iranian officials know they’re on thin ice with Trump, teetering on a decision to move toward regime change. Iran’s mullah government has had a stranglehold on Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Calls for the end to mullah rule prompted the regime to massacre street protesters calling for a new government.
Trump hasn’t yet decided whether to go ahead with regime change. He know the Iranian regime won’t go quietly, most likely would hit U.S. Mideast assets and certainly Israel. So, when Netanyahu says he wants to discuss with Trump Iran’s ballistic missiles program, he knows it’s at the heart of military move by the U.S. Iran’s opposition, led by Shah of Iran son Reza Pahlavi and others, want to end mullah rule to establish some kind of democracy in Iran. Trump and Netanyahu know that it won’t come without a fight because of entrenched mullah interests inside Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Al-Quds force and notorious Basij militia. Whatever plans Trump and Netanyahu have with Iran, they’d better have a Plan B when it comes to regime change. Ending mullah rule won’t come without a price, knowing anything less would be unacceptable to Iran’s people.
When Israel ended the Iran war June 24, Netanyahu knew he had more work to do to neutralize Iran’s ballistic missile program. Trump said B-2 Stealth bomber strikes had obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, though some nuclear experts thought the program was set back but not destroyed. But Trump and Netanyahu learned a lot about Iran’s military capability during the 12-day war, knowing that its air defenses are weak. So, when the Ayatollah starts to figure out his options, he has very few other that negotiating to stay in power. Trump and Netanyhu would like to see Ayatollah go but they’d settle for limits on the nuke and ballistic missile program. “If negotiations deal only with the nuclear file and ignore the missiles, Irael will remain exposed,” said Sima Shing, former Iraeli intelligence official. Netanyahu thinks Iran’s ballistic missile program is a far bigger threat to Israel than its nuclear enrichment program, something Trump agrees.
Iran’s goal in negotiating with envoy’s Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Muscal, Oman is to delay the inevitable of regime change. Netanyahu wants to discus what both countries must do next in Iran. Trump wants more than an end to Iran’s nuke or ballistic missiles programs, he wants regime change. Trump sees the barbarity of the mullah regime and knows there’s no placating Ayatollah Ali Khaemenei. “Iran treats ist ballistic missile program program as its main deterrence and will not give it up,” said Shine, saying that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the ballistic missile program is non-negotiable. “They have room to show flexibility on enrichment,” noting Iran’s priority. “But missiles are different. The they would not discuss,” Shine said. Trump must decide with Netanyahu their next moves if they really wants to see regime change.
Raising the ballistic missile program hints that Netanyahu seeks more than to stop Iran’s nuke and ballistic missile program. “If missles become the central public demand, it may look as if Israel is push the U.S. toward military action,” Shine said. “if that fails, Israel could be blamed,” something doubtful because Trump know what’s involved in regime change. To end mullah rule in Iran, it won’t come without a fight. Trump and Netanyahu must be prepared for a long, drawn out conflict. How long a conflict last is anyone’s guess but it won’t come without a price to the U.S. and Israel. Any focus on Iran’s ballistic missile program hints that the U.S. and Israel seek regime change. Ending mullah rule is long overdue for the suffering Iranian people, now exposed to another round of state=sponsored genocide on street protesters. Trump promised change in Iran.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
