Change of power in Iran would be the best outcome: Trump

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that a change of government in Iran would be the best possible outcome, as Washington stepped up military pressure by deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

Speaking to reporters at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Trump made his most explicit remarks yet backing the toppling of Iran’s clerical leadership. Asked whether he wanted regime change, he said that seemed like the best thing that could happen. He declined to name a successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, adding only that there were people who could take over.

Earlier at the White House, Trump said the USS Gerald R. Ford would soon head to the region to increase pressure on Tehran, adding that the deployment would be needed if diplomacy failed. Another carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, is already operating in the Middle East. Trump has pushed Iran to agree to limits on its nuclear program while warning of military consequences if talks collapse.

Iran and the United States held nuclear talks last week in Oman, though no new dates have been set. The West suspects Iran is seeking a nuclear weapon, which Tehran denies. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said on Friday that reaching an inspections deal was possible but extremely difficult.

The comments came as exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi renewed calls for international intervention following a violent crackdown on protests. Rights groups, including the Human Rights Activists News Agency, reported thousands killed and more than 53,000 arrests, while Iran Human Rights said hundreds could face death sentences.

Trump has said he still wants talks with Iran after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has warned any deal must also address missiles and regional activities.