United States military operations and political objectives in Iran

Since the launch of military operations on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump has called on members of the Iranian military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and police to surrender in exchange for full immunity. President Trump stated on March 5 that he aims to influence the selection of Iran's next leader, rejecting Mojtaba Khamenei as an unacceptable successor. While Trump claimed that 58% of Iran's missile launchers have been destroyed and characterized the campaign as a major military success, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi labeled the U.S. efforts as a failure and stated that Tehran is prepared for any scenario, including ground incursions. Trump dismissed the necessity of a U.S. ground invasion, labeling it a waste of time, while simultaneously encouraging Iranian diplomats abroad to seek asylum. The International Atomic Energy Agency, led by Rafael Grossi, reported no evidence of an active Iranian nuclear bomb program, despite expressing concerns over uranium enrichment levels. Although some reports suggested potential backchannel communication for ending the conflict, U.S. officials maintain that no formal negotiations are currently underway.