Trump says he doesn't want regime change in Iran, as it would cause 'chaos'

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - US President Donald Trump said he does not favor regime change in Iran, warning that such a shift would cause "chaos," Sky News reported Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to a NATO summit in The Hague, Trump said he does not wish to see regime change in Iran, arguing the transition would "make chaos."

The statement represents a shift from Trump's former position, as over the weekend he suggested he was open to the idea of regime change in Iran, arguing that the current government hinders the country's development.

"It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" he wrote on social media on Sunday.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt had reinforced this stance, telling Fox News that "the president believes the Iranian people can control their own destiny."

The new comments come following tensions after US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran's retaliatory attacks on an American base in Qatar.