Ed wrote an excellent piece earlier today about Trump's warning to Iran that it must give up its nuclear program "or else."

After exiting the G-7 conference early, calling together his National Security Council in the wee hours of the morning, and making statements to the media and on Truth Social that the time for negotiations is over, it's pretty clear that Trump is preparing to strike Iran's nuclear sites, and perhaps Tehran itself. 

"Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" –President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/oniUSgsMWA

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 16, 2025

At the very minimum, the exhortation to all Iranians to evacuate the capital is a clear indication that the United States is directly coordinating with Israel about its war plans--something everybody knew in principle, but when spoken aloud sends a clear signal that the US is in it to win it, whether the bombs are ours or not. 

President Trump said on Air Force One that he wants "a real end," with #Iran "giving up entirely" on its nuclear program. He predicted that Israeli won't be slowing up its barrage on Iran. "You're going to find out over the next two days. You're going to find out. Nobody's slowed… pic.twitter.com/z9PLFNdjhj

— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) June 17, 2025

Trump's early departure may actually signal an intention to strike directly, but it might also be part of a plan to escalate the psychological pressure on Iran's leaders. There are many reports that Ayatollah Khameinei has been taken out of the decision loop by the remnants of Iran's military leadership--a much diminished group itself. 

World War III has been canceled.

Be sure to think of your favorite Qatari-funded influencer during this difficult time. https://t.co/0bLrbkxqyL

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) June 17, 2025

Israel has been systematically destroying the pillars of Iran's state power, not just its military infrastructure and nuclear program. These are distinguishable, as we saw in the first Iraq war, where the United States defeated the Iraqi military but left Saddam Hussein in power. 

🚨 JUST IN: Israeli PM Netanyahu says he is NOT interested in peace talks with Iran, per ABC

He’s also refusing to rule out assassinating Supreme Leader Khamenei

This comes after news the Iranian regime is asking to come back to the negotiating table. pic.twitter.com/AEMvcbx4Zv

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 16, 2025

Earlier, Israel had kept Iran's Supreme Leader off the target list, presumably because they wanted to prevent him from becoming a martyr. Now that they have removed all his top advisors--they are all dead, leaving the Ayatollah alone at the top--Netanyahu has upped the pressure on the Supreme Leader himself. It is much easier to stand tough when surrounded by allies, and much harder when surrounded by strangers who don't appear to want to listen to you. 

BREAKING: Iranians are burning photos of the Ayatollah.

It’s happening… pic.twitter.com/4bfjljjUFu

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) June 16, 2025

Even Khamenei's international allies appear to be abandoning him. His proxies in the Middle East are emasculated--Hamas and Hezbollah are mere shells of their former selves--and his close ally Russia, is abandoning him. 

Putin called Trump, who informed him that America would not restrain Israel. Putin called Khamenei and basically told him “yeah I’d start thinking about taking that deal now” lmao pic.twitter.com/0TpUJ6Zoea

— Patrick Casey (@restoreorderusa) June 15, 2025

His power structure is left in ruins, his prestige stripped, and his opposition emboldened. 

This is exactly what the regime fears most right now an uprising driven by a furious, fed-up nation.
In one neighborhood, people are chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Israel is not our enemy, the Islamic Republic is”to the faces of IR’s plainclothes thugs. pic.twitter.com/KsyGBloAes

— ثنا ابراهیمی | Sana Ebrahimi (@__Injaneb96) June 17, 2025

🔴 JUST NOW:

Iranian patriot @Mosolchi poses in Central Tehran with the Israeli and Lion/Sun flag.

He thanks Netanyahu for the airstrikes, and calls for Israel to support Iran's exiled monarchy.

This is insanely risky and brave, especially during war.

pic.twitter.com/qeVuyE1tSJ

— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) June 16, 2025

As Tehran empties out, so does the Iranian regime's power structure. It seems the time for talks is over and the conditions for regime change have been put in place. 

BREAKING 🔴

For the first time in history, Taliban Street in Tehran stands completely empty. pic.twitter.com/Rh2HsR0gKD

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 17, 2025

Israel has wanted regime change for decades, but American leaders have been reluctant to go there. Quite the opposite, in fact. Both the Obama and Biden regimes worked assiduously to prop up Iran, sending tens of billions to the country in an attempt to bribe them to be better. 

Trump has reversed that policy. So don't be  surprised to see the regime fall quickly, with or without American bombs falling.