Analysts urge Trump to refocus on regime change in Iran

An opinion piece published in The Hill on Nov. 7, 2026, calls on President Donald Trump to prioritize the collapse of the Iranian government as the primary objective of his administration's foreign policy. The authors, Michael Makovsky and Blaise Misztal of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, argue that the administration should move past the political aftermath of recent midterm elections to address the situation in Tehran.

The article contends that original U.S. objectives regarding Iran have been narrowed over time. The authors point to shifts in rhetoric and policy goals from officials including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine as evidence of this change.

The authors cite "Operation Epic Fury," a strategy announced by President Trump on Feb. 28, 2026, which initially established five goals: destroying Iranian missiles, annihilating the nation's navy, neutralizing terrorist proxies, preventing the acquisition of nuclear weapons, and fostering a prosperous future for the country. The piece argues that the war will only conclude if the administration returns to the objective of achieving the collapse of the Iranian regime.

The authors maintain that the U.S. military blockade remains a necessary tool for weakening the regime. The piece serves as a call to action for the administration to refocus its efforts on these original strategic goals despite the results of the recent midterm elections.