Trump’s Iran post embarrasses top allies

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social about possibly changing Iran’s government, confusing his closest aides. Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had just told the public that the U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites were not about replacing Iran’s leaders. Their goal was to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program, not start a bigger conflict.

Trump’s post, saying Iran’s regime should change if it can’t “MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN,” went against what Vance, Hegseth, and Rubio said. On TV shows like CBS’s Face the Nation and NBC’s Meet the Press, they stressed the strikes were precise and aimed only at nuclear facilities. Rubio said it wasn’t an attack on Iran’s people, and Hegseth called it a clear success in destroying nuclear sites.

The U.S. attacked Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan sites on Saturday night, working with Israel to weaken Iran’s nuclear program. Vance told NBC the strikes could lead to peace if Iran stops its nuclear plans. But Trump’s words made it seem like he wanted more than just stopping weapons, putting his team in a tough spot. They had to explain their post while sticking to their message of avoiding war. This mix-up left Vance, Hegseth, and Rubio looking out of step with their boss.