Financial Times: Trump officials revive Iran regime change debate as diplomacy stalls

TEHRAN, Iran — LONDON — The Financial Times reported that officials in U.S. President Donald Trump's administration have reopened discussion of a regime change option in Iran as diplomatic efforts have stalled. According to the newspaper, the plan includes encouraging an internal uprising in Iran and revisiting an Israeli proposal to arm Kurdish opposition groups against Tehran. The FT said some U.S. officials believe current political and economic pressure on Iran has failed to achieve its goals. Iran policy has become a central issue in U.S. foreign policy because of ongoing tension on the Iran-Israel line and uncertainty over American strategy, the newspaper reported. Stated objectives include reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping and restricting Iran's nuclear program. Tehran's practice of charging transit fees has complicated those goals, according to the report. U.S. officials told the FT that military options are limited, airstrikes have not produced results, and there is no political will to deploy ground forces. Retired General Barry McCaffrey estimated that a ground operation to control Hormuz would require around 600,000 troops and roughly one year. The Financial Times also noted that Iran is expected to expand its missile and drone capabilities with support from Russia and China.