Trump declares MIGA, Make Iran Great Again — these are the leaders he might back to replace the current regime

Trump pushes “MIGA” – Who could lead Iran if regime change happens? In a dramatic turn following U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump unveiled a bold new slogan—MIGA: Make Iran Great Again. And with it, he hinted at something even more explosive than missiles: regime change in Tehran.

What does Trump’s “MIGA” really mean?

Shortly after U.S. forces targeted key Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, Trump took to Truth Social with a message that set off alarm bells in foreign policy circles:

“If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”

This post came just as his own administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Marco Rubio, insisted the strikes were not about toppling the Iranian regime, but about preventing it from going nuclear. Trump’s post, however, suggests a broader strategic goal—removing Iran’s current leadership and possibly backing a new one.

Could Trump actually support a new Iranian leader?

While Trump didn’t name names, several prominent Iranian opposition figures and exile groups are already jockeying for the spotlight. Let’s take a look at the most likely contenders under the MIGA banner.

Is Reza Pahlavi Trump’s most likely pick?

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince and son of Iran’s last Shah, has long been a figurehead for monarchist and democratic factions abroad. Earlier in 2025, he announced a transitional government in exile and claimed the Islamic Republic was “on the verge of collapse.”

His plan? A five-part roadmap that includes:

• Mobilizing the Iranian diaspora
  
  
• Gaining G20 support
  
  
• Encouraging defections within the regime
  
  
• Building a path toward free elections
  
  

Pahlavi is the most credible and internationally recognized face of the opposition. If Trump is serious about a peaceful, Western-aligned Iran, Pahlavi might be his top choice.

What about the radical Restart Movement?

Another group that’s jumped on the MIGA bandwagon is the Restart Movement, led by controversial Iranian-American figure Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini. Known for conspiracy theories and extremist rhetoric, Restart has been pushing for violent regime change for years.

They’ve even publicly embraced Trump’s slogan—but they’re far from mainstream and are considered fringe by most analysts. While their support for Trump is loud, it’s unlikely they’d ever receive official U.S. backing.

Could Trump support insiders like Ali Larijani?

There’s also speculation around more moderate voices within the Iranian establishment—such as Ali Larijani, a longtime conservative figure and former parliament speaker.

But despite his pragmatism, Larijani is still a regime insider. Backing someone like him would mean propping up the same system Trump seems eager to dismantle. That makes this scenario unlikely.

Can Iran’s regime survive if it cannot protect its top commanders?

In recent days, several top Iranian military and intelligence leaders have been killed in Israeli strikes. Among them were intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi and deputy Hassan Mohaqiq, alongside key nuclear scientists. This has sparked serious doubts among Iranians.

“Despite all claims about missile defense or protecting command centers, the absolute inefficiency of this regime has become apparent to the public,” said Majid Golpour, an exiled Iran expert, in an interview with DW. He questioned how a government that fails to protect its top brass could secure the country from broader threats.

Khamenei himself is now rumored to be in hiding, with Israeli and U.S. sources hinting he could be directly targeted next. If the supreme leader is assassinated, it could cause a major shift in the political structure of the Islamic Republic.

Is Iran’s opposition strong enough to fill a power vacuum?

Experts say the downfall of the regime doesn’t automatically lead to a new democratic government. Golpour stresses that regime change depends heavily on a viable political alternative. However, Iran’s opposition—both inside and outside the country—remains fragmented.

Some factions within the Iranian diaspora support Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah, as a symbolic leader. But he lacks any political organization within Iran itself. Others, like Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, advocate for civil rights and democratic reform but face harsh crackdowns.

Inside Iran, opposition figures have long been silenced—jailed, exiled, or executed. This long suppression has made organizing difficult. As political scientist Shukriya Bradost of the Middle East Institute notes, a “political vacuum” could emerge if the regime weakens, possibly leading to widespread unrest, strikes, and protests. But without unified leadership, lasting change is uncertain.

Is nationalism helping the Islamic regime gain support?

During the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, nationalist sentiment kept the country united despite hardship. Now, the Islamic regime is again using patriotic rhetoric to gain public backing. But experts suggest this may not work as well today.

“Iranians no longer buy into the ‘nation of Islam’ idea. They see themselves as citizens of Iran, not soldiers of a religious revolution,” said Shahran Tabari, a political journalist, in an interview with DW. She believes many Iranians feel anger and fear about the conflict—one they had no voice in starting.

Still, wars often trigger patriotic responses. Whether this conflict will lead to mass resistance or reluctant support for the regime remains to be seen.

Will Trump’s actions push Iran closer to regime change?

US President Donald Trump, in a dramatic move, launched airstrikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Shortly after, he hinted at “regime change” in a social media post:

“If the current Iranian Regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be a regime change?”

This statement came just hours after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the mission “was not and has not been about regime change.”

The mixed messaging from the Trump administration has created confusion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Fox News that the U.S. is “not at war with Iran,” but with “Iran’s nuclear program.” Vice President JD Vance echoed this on NBC, saying the strikes were meant to stop Iran’s nuclear development—not its government.

Despite these clarifications, Trump’s open taunts and hints suggest deeper motives. His unpredictability adds to the tension, leaving allies unsure and enemies on high alert.

How badly has Iran’s military suffered, and what comes next?

Since Israel’s initial attack on June 13, Iran has lost a significant portion of its military command. According to Human Rights Activists, a Washington-based group, 950 Iranians have died in the strikes. Iran’s retaliatory attacks killed 27 Israelis, but experts say Iran’s air defense systems and missile launch sites have been severely damaged.

Iran responded with drone and missile attacks, but without the same impact. Analysts say Israel’s air campaign effectively crippled Iran’s ability to launch a sustained counterattack.

With Iran’s elite commanders gone and its defenses weakened, the regime is under more pressure than ever. The next move—whether a truce, uprising, or further escalation—could determine whether Iran’s leadership survives this war.

The question of regime change in Iran has lingered for decades. But this war with Israel has exposed vulnerabilities in Tehran’s leadership, military, and political strategy. The killing of top commanders, economic sanctions, growing public frustration, and pressure from the international community all point to a critical juncture.

Yet the fall of a regime does not guarantee democracy or peace. As long as Iran’s opposition remains divided and unorganized, a clear path forward remains uncertain. What happens next may depend as much on President Trump’s decisions as it does on the actions of the Iranian people themselves.

FAQs:

Q1: Can war with Israel really trigger Iran regime change?
Yes, rising tensions and military losses may shake Iran’s ruling system.

Q2: Is Ayatollah Khamenei in danger after Israeli strikes?
Yes, reports suggest Khamenei could be targeted next amid the ongoing conflict.