On January 5, 2020, during an event celebrating the Inter Miami Major League Soccer championship victory, President Donald Trump called on Iranian diplomats to apply for asylum, suggesting they possess the potential to assist in establishing a "new and better Iran." He indicated that the United States aims to collaborate with diplomats worldwide to aid in the reform of the Iranian government. This marked the first time Trump had publicly addressed Iranian diplomats in this manner, expanding his previous calls for regime change and encouraging the Iranian populace to seize control after military operations against Iran.

Trump's speech also included direct warnings to the Iranian military and police, urging them to surrender their weapons and stand up for the Iranian people. He promised them safety and amnesty if they complied but threatened absolute death for those who did not. He claimed the U.S. operations had severely degraded Iran's military capabilities, asserting that their navy and air defenses were destroyed within just a few days. This approach aimed to pressure the Iranian regime further while addressing the rising oil prices following the attacks, promising additional measures to mitigate this impact on the global oil market.

Overall, Trump's statements reflect a broader strategy to destabilize the Iranian government while attempting to encourage dissent from within its ranks. As tensions escalated, the implications of this rhetoric could potentially lead to further confrontation, both militarily and diplomatically, affecting U.S. relations with not only Iran but also ally nations in the region facing the consequences of these ongoing tensions.