President Donald Trump has declined to rule out authorizing a CIA-backed uprising in Iran, stating it would be inappropriate to discuss such plans publicly. This followed a post on Truth Social where he called on Iranians to rise up against their government. The remarks signal that a covert regime-change effort is under active consideration as the administration weighs how to wind down its broader military campaign.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that sustained economic pressure could potentially trigger a popular uprising or fractures within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Trump has increasingly framed the conflict’s endgame around financial pressure, such as sanctions and asset freezes, rather than indefinite military strikes. Meanwhile, the administration is debating whether to formally declare an end to active hostilities while maintaining economic and covert pressure.