Trump revives Iran regime change speculation with cryptic call for people to ‘rise up’

President Donald Trump revived speculation over regime change in Iran Tuesday, openly asking when Iranians would "rise up and fight" as his administration intensifies military and economic pressure. Writing on Truth Social, Trump stated he is not seeking to force Iran to the bargaining table, noting he is satisfied with the current position involving control of the Hormuz Strait and Iran's collapsing economy. When asked by Fox News if he would deploy the CIA to arm Iranians, Trump declined to provide specifics but asserted the regime is weakening daily. He attributed the lack of mass uprisings to the government's brutal repression, citing the use of snipers and machine guns against protesters. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Iran's economy as being in a "death spiral," suggesting the regime faces a choice between internal collapse, a popular uprising, or a new deal. Miad Maleki, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, argued that Washington should avoid invasion but instead focus on cutting economic lifelines and empowering the Iranian people through internet access. Meanwhile, reports from the National Council of Resistance of Iran allege localized protests over economic grievances have occurred in several cities, though these claims remain independently unverified.