[oldnetguy]

I see this as Trump going after governments that were close to Russia and China. Which is why he is going after Iran, Venezuela and Cuba.

Also there are many countries in the middle east that we are friends with which would be happy if Iran falls.

[mrighele]

The countries in middle east want Iran to be weak, not to fall.

I think that from the point of the neighbouring countries, Iran is fine as it is. Israel and the USA keep it in check, it is under sanctions, which are both beneficial for its adversaries.

If the regime in Iran were to fall, first of all you would have repercussions on the neighbors, (refugees and the like), and instability. But also, in the longer run, the chance of a more better government, which could make the country stronger than it is.

[bell-cot]

> ...would be happy if Iran falls.

Literally, perhaps true...at least initially. But:

- Take a look at how poorly the fall of the Iraqi gov't in 2003 actually worked out for the U.S. and its regional friends.

- Iran has 92 million people, very deep issues with being able to support that large a population, and very long borders. If things really went to crap there, it could produce tens of millions of desperate refugees.

[JumpCrisscross]

> take a look at how poorly the fall of the Iraqi gov't in 2003 actually worked out

This is an immensely risky operation. But part of the reason for Iraq being a shitshow was De-Ba'athification. You don't need to clean house to effect regime change. My guess would be we're hoping someone in the IRGC disappears Khamenei and a few senior commanders and then makes a call to Geneva.