David Petraeus stated that strikes against Iran would not lead to regime change.
In an interview with the Cats Roundtable radio show, retired four-star general David Petraeus said that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is so ideologically driven and rigid in his positions that he is unlikely to change course on key issues. According to him, this position may prompt US President Donald Trump to use force.
"Look, frankly, I fully support further reductions in the missile programme or damage to security forces, but we have to be very clear-headed," Petraeus said, adding, "Unfortunately, this will not lead to regime change."
He also said that Iran's leadership is incapable of serious negotiations on the nuclear programme, even after last week's meeting between US and Iranian representatives in Geneva, which ended without an agreement.
Petraeus stressed that the development of Iran's nuclear programme poses a threat to US partners and allies in the region, particularly Israel. He mentioned Tehran's support for groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and Shiite militias in Iraq. If Ayatollah Ali Khamenei does not show flexibility, Iran may find itself facing a powerful display of American military force.
Petraeus' statements came against the backdrop of Donald Trump's 10-15 day deadline for Tehran to agree to what he calls a meaningful nuclear deal, otherwise Iran will face serious consequences. At the first meeting of his Peace Council in Washington last week, Trump noted that negotiations were going well, but warned that if diplomacy failed, it would be "a bad day for Iran, a very bad day."
The confrontation is unfolding after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets in June last year. Washington claims significant damage to Iran's programme, while Tehran downplays its scale. The United States subsequently deployed aircraft carriers, warships and fighter jets to the region. Russia is calling for restraint, while European governments are advising their citizens to leave Iran.
David Petraeus's position differs from that of retired General Jack Keane, who previously stated that a broad US military campaign against Iran could create conditions for the "collapse of the regime" in Tehran. These differences reflect varying approaches among former military commanders on the extent to which the use of force could change the situation in the Islamic Republic.
