Trump urges Iranians to overthrow government and acquire guns
Updated
Updated · Daily Star · May 5
Trump urges Iranians to overthrow government and acquire guns
5 articles · Updated · Daily Star · May 5
On The Hugh Hewitt Show, he said he was "torn", citing 42,000 deaths in the first two weeks and arguing an unarmed population cannot defeat forces with AK-47s.
Trump said some Iranians were getting weapons and claimed the regime was weakened militarily and economically, with fighters unwilling to keep fighting and some allegedly unpaid.
The remarks continue his campaign against Iran's Islamic Republic after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's killing in February 2026, while he pointed to past crackdowns including wrestler Navid Afkari's 2020 execution.
After decades of mistrust, can US support for an uprising actually help Iranians or will it backfire?
As Washington calls for armed revolt, is nonviolent resistance a more effective path to freeing Iran?
February 2026 Escalation: Trump’s Unauthorized War on Iran and the Failed Uprising Strategy
Overview
In February 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran, targeting military and nuclear sites and killing Supreme Leader Khamenei. Iran swiftly retaliated with missile strikes on U.S. forces, escalating into a wider regional conflict involving proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis, disrupting global energy markets and raising oil prices. The operation, initiated unilaterally by President Trump without Congressional approval, aimed to weaken Iran and incite internal rebellion by arming protesters, but faced strong regime repression and a fragmented opposition. Despite heavy fighting and significant casualties, the operation failed to achieve regime change or destroy Iran's nuclear program, leaving the region unstable with uncertain prospects for peace.