Trump’s endgame in Iran: Regime change without US ‘boots on the ground’

Al Jazeera
March 4, 2026
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2 min read

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The Bottom Line

Analysts doubt former President Trump's strategy to achieve Iranian regime change solely through air power without U.S. ground troops.

AI Summary

President Donald Trump's administration is pursuing a strategy of regime change in Iran without deploying U.S. ground forces. This approach, according to analysts, relies primarily on U.S.-Israeli air power. However, these experts contend that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to dismantle the Iranian system through air power alone. The feasibility of this strategy therefore faces significant analytical skepticism regarding its potential for success. This assessment highlights potential challenges for U.S. foreign policy objectives in the Middle East.

What's Being Done

The Trump administration is pursuing a strategy of regime change in Iran primarily through U.S.-Israeli air power.

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