The United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and continuing this administration’s disastrous and obtrusive foreign policy.

The second forcible removal of a foreign head of state by this administration in two months, the death of Khamenei has only exacerbated international tension with the U.S. The U.S. and its allies now find themselves in costly war, which already cost American taxpayers $6 billion in a single week, according to Forbes.

The much greater cost is that of human lives. Israel and the U.S. have already killed more than 1,230 individuals in Iran, according to CNN. At the same time, Iran is bombarding neighboring gulf nations with U.S. bases. Despite the carnage this war has caused in just a few weeks, President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian both pledged to never surrender, no matter the cost.

So just why is this war being fought?

There’s many answers to that question. But President Trump himself has the most accurate answer.

A March 9 article published by PBS indicates that Iran has selected the Supreme Leader’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the nation’s new leader. Trump proclaimed this new leader to be unacceptable. He’s also clarified that he doesn’t care if Iran becomes a democratic nation. He only wants an Iranian leader that will be friendly to Israel and the U.S.

What this administration believes will result at the tail end of this trail of violence isn’t budding Iranian democracy or a partner in the Middle East, but an ally that can be subjugated for America’s own needs.

These bombings, attacks and killings aren’t preemptive strikes but rather stepping stones for greater political influence. By being able to influence who takes charge of Iran through this war, the U.S. can practically select the next Iranian leader.

But throughout history, these U.S. backed regime changes have caused more harm than good. A 2020 article published by the CATO Institute, a nonpartisan research organization, suggests that U.S. backed regime change has historically led to a higher likelihood of civil wars, and repression and autocratic governments in foreign nations.

Any true change in Iran would have to come from empowering its people against their oppressive government, rather than reigning hellfire on them.

The war in Iran won’t bring any positive change, especially with the goal of regime change. We, the people, need to not only advocate against the war in Iran, but against the idea that foreign nations are puppets to be controlled by our leaders instead of equal allies.