Trump warns strikes on Iran could install leaders 'as bad' as current regime
Mar 4th 2026
President Trump said recent strikes against Iran risk replacing its leaders with successors "as bad" as the current regime, comments that come as US, Israeli and Iranian attacks have raised casualties, disrupted Gulf energy flows and prompted evacuation advisories.
- Trump warned US and Israeli strikes on Iran could result in successor leaders who are "as bad" as the current regime and said wars can be fought "forever," raising questions about the US endgame.
- Israel and the US have struck Iranian targets, with reports of an attack near clerics meeting in Qom and Iran acknowledging damage at its Natanz nuclear site.
- Iran launched missiles and drones at countries including Qatar, Bahrain and Oman and at locations hosting US forces, triggering regional retaliation and security responses.
- Oil surged toward $85 a barrel and the Strait of Hormuz is largely closed, forcing some Gulf producers to halt or reduce output and disrupting tanker traffic.
- Casualty reports include 787 deaths in Iran according to the Red Crescent, six US service members killed per the US, about a dozen deaths in Israel, and more than 50 killed in Lebanon after Israeli strikes.
- The State Department urged Americans to leave parts of the Middle East and said it is arranging departures while much civilian air traffic across the Gulf remains suspended after attacks.