Iran Has Had a Regime Change, New “Smart Leadership” in Place: Donald Trump
Islamabad: United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has undergone a regime change and that a new “smarter leadership” has taken over, while also crediting Pakistan and Qatar for their key role in recent diplomatic developments.
Speaking at a press conference following the G7 summit in France, Trump said that a historic agreement involving Iran would not have been possible without the efforts of Pakistan and Qatar in facilitating negotiations.
.@POTUS: "As I expressed to the world leaders here this week, it's my hope that the peace agreement will be the beginning of a much larger deal all across the Middle East. We're very close." pic.twitter.com/GUZb0UHXVC
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 17, 2026
He said that the agreement has helped prevent prolonged military escalation, adding that without it, bombing campaigns could have continued for weeks or even months, worsening regional instability.
Trump claimed that as a result of the deal, the Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen fully, contributing to stability in global oil markets. He added that oil prices have already started to decline following the diplomatic breakthrough.
The US President further stated that Iran now has a “new leadership” that is acting more wisely and engaging more responsibly in international affairs. He expressed hope that Iran would not pursue nuclear weapons under the evolving framework of the agreement.
He also said that Iran’s nuclear facilities remain under satellite surveillance and that US authorities are monitoring nuclear-related materials closely. Trump added that Iran suffered massive economic losses during recent conflicts and now requires significant reconstruction investment, though the US will not provide financial assistance as part of the deal.
Referring to Israel, Trump said he disagreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Lebanon situation and criticized recent Israeli military actions in Beirut, calling civilian casualties unacceptable.
"How long do you expect @pulte to be Acting DNI?"@POTUS: "As long as it takes to get everybody else approved… all of a sudden it was like a rush act by the Democrats… I'm not going to sign FISA unless [SAVE America Act] is done." pic.twitter.com/pXIKLUe8do
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 17, 2026
He further stated that Israel had been informed about the agreement and urged it to improve its approach toward Hezbollah and the broader Lebanon issue.
Trump also reiterated praise for Pakistan’s diplomatic role, saying Pakistan and Qatar played an important part in advancing the negotiations. He added that Pakistan’s Prime Minister had informed him early about progress in the talks.
During the briefing, Trump also commented on regional military developments, claiming that Iran’s naval, air, and command capabilities had been significantly weakened during recent conflicts.
He further stated that frozen Iranian assets, estimated at around $300 billion, belong to Iran and may eventually need to be returned, questioning the long-term feasibility of holding such funds.
.@POTUS meets with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit in France: "He's spending a lot of money in the United States, so we appreciate that—jobs. I just want to say he's been my friend for a long time now, and we've always had a great relationship." pic.twitter.com/GxaBeS5tGJ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 17, 2026
The Strait of Hormuz, he emphasized, remains one of the most critical global energy corridors, and ensuring uninterrupted maritime trade through it is essential for the world economy.
Earlier, on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Trump met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where they discussed the Iran agreement, Middle East stability, global trade, and energy security. Modi welcomed the diplomatic progress, calling it a positive step toward lasting peace in the region, while both leaders stressed the importance of keeping key maritime routes open for global commerce.
