"Iran is not the same country it was a week ago. A week ago they were powerful, and nowthey've been indeed neutered" - that's what President Trump toldCNNin a brief phone interview Friday.

He also expressed that hedoesn't care if Iran becomes a democracy or not, and his words even left open the possibility of the continuation of a Shia theocratic government, after the first big Saturday wave of US-Israeli attacks killed Ayatollah Khamenei and much of his immediate family.

"No, I’m saying there has to be a leader that’s going be fair and just, do a great job,treat the United States and Israel well, and treat the other countries in the Middle East — they’re all our partners," Trump stated.

When asked about if the next leader could still be a Muslim cleric or religious head, Trump responded: "Well I may be,yeah. I mean, it depends on who the person is.I don't mind religious leaders. I deal with a lot of religious leaders and they are fantastic."

So this suggests that by the end of this, assuming that Washingtoncanmanage to find an achievable 'end' - the world could still find an 'Islamic Republic' in place.

Separate prior Thursday remarks by the US President also interestinglyurged Iranian diplomats across the world to defectandseek asylumin the United States or its embassies abroad. Watch:

Trump: We'll bring in any Iranian refugees that aid the U.S Military!Trump complained about the Afghan INVADERS and now is doing the same thing.This is how we got invaded with people from the Middle East.pic.twitter.com/kI129L0DJa

We"urge Iranian diplomats around the world to request asylum and to help us shape a new and better Iran,"he said.

"They have no air defense. All of their airplanes are gone. Their communications are gone. Missiles are gone. Launches are gone. About 60% and 64%, respectively. Other than that, they're doing quite well. I said, what's left? But they're tough, and they want to fight." he continued of the US-Israeli ongoing Operation Epic Fury.

"And they're calling.They're saying, how do we make a deal?I said, you're being a little bit late, and we want to fight now more than they do," Trump continued - though it's unclear what he's referring too, unless perhaps related to reports that countries are trying to mediate.

Source: ZeroHedge News