US President Trump stated this week that Iran's new leadership is "more moderate and more rational." Trump and the Pentagon have repeatedly claimed a regime change has occurred. However, most political scientists and analysts believe that a regime change refers to external forces altering a country's governance model, not merely replacing the system's leaders. Instead, the war has strengthened the power of Iran's hardline military faction and exacerbated anti-American sentiment. Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, stated, "This regime is more hawkish, less inclined to compromise, and frankly, has a more direct connection to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. We saw the then-Supreme Leader of Iran eliminated by 'decapitation,' but this did not translate into a significant change in power or its stance towards the United States." (Jin Shi)