WASHINGTON DC — United States President Donald Trump has predicted that the Iranian government will ultimately fall, “but maybe not immediately,” as the 14-day conflict between US-Israeli forces and Tehran continues to escalate with no clear end in sight .
Speaking at the Department of Justice on Friday, Trump was asked about the future of Iran’s leadership following the US-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28 .
“It will fall. It will fall, but maybe not immediately,” Trump told reporters . “But we have a situation in Iran where the regime, I think, it’s not going to be there for long. We’ll see what happens, but they’ve been greatly weakened. I can tell you that” .
The president’s remarks come as Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, faces the daunting task of unifying the country and responding to foreign attacks that have devastated its military infrastructure .
When pressed on whether the US would accept the current Iranian leadership for future diplomatic negotiations, Trump responded that he would “only accept” leaders who act in the interests of the Iranian people and regional stability .
Earlier this week, Trump suggested the war could end “soon” because there was “practically nothing left to target” in Iran, though he later contradicted this, promising “more of the same” militarily .
Meanwhile, Tehran has remained defiant. Iran’s national football team declared on Thursday that “no one can exclude us” from the 2026 World Cup, after Trump warned it would be “inappropriate” for them to play in the U.S. for their own safety . The team fired back, stating that the only country that should be excluded is one “that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security” .
The conflict has killed over 1,300 Iranians and displaced more than 800,000 families in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has been drawn into the fighting . Oil prices have fluctuated wildly, surging past $100 per barrel on fears of prolonged disruption through the strategic Strait of Hormuz .
Disclaimer: This material and other digital content on this website maybe reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without the prior express written permission of CDA News Nigeria. All rights reserved. © 2026 CDA News Nigeria. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Privacy Policy: CDA News Nigeria is committed to protecting your privacy. We collect and use personal information solely for delivering news updates and improving your experience. Your data is never shared with third parties without explicit consent. For full details, visit our website.
Contact: For news tips, inquiries, or feedback, contact CDA News Nigeria at info@cdanews.ng or visit our headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
