Trump Fires Back at Iran's Leader with Harsh Criticism
US President Donald Trump has launched a sharp verbal attack on Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump called the Iranian leader a 'sick man' and labeled him as a failed ruler. This response came after Khamenei accused Trump of being a criminal.
Escalating War of Words Between US and Iran
In a recent interview with Politico, Trump escalated the ongoing conflict. He stated that it is time to look for new leadership in Iran. Trump emphasized that leadership should be about respect, not fear and death. He criticized Khamenei's 37-year reign, calling for its end.
Trump alleged that Iran's leadership relies on repression to maintain control. He said, "What he is guilty of, as the leader of a country, is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before." Trump added that leaders should focus on running their countries properly, like he does with the United States, instead of killing thousands to keep control.
Background of the Accusations
This exchange follows Khamenei's statement on Saturday. He blamed Trump for weeks of demonstrations in Iran that reportedly led to more than 3,000 deaths. According to Iranian state media, Khamenei said, "We consider the US president criminal for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation."
Iran's domestic situation became unstable after protests began on December 28. People took to the streets to protest economic hardships. Khamenei accused the US President of inciting deadly protests. He warned that internal criminals are worse than international criminals and promised strict action.
Trump's Threats and Changing Statements
Trump repeatedly threatened military intervention in Iran. He warned of "very strong action" if Iran executed protesters. On January 13, Trump said that "help is on the way" and called on Iranians to keep protesting and "take over institutions."
However, Trump's stance shifted on Friday as Iran's unrest stabilized. He expressed gratitude to Iran's leaders for calling off mass hangings. But the Iranian government dismissed these claims, stating there was "no plan to hang people," as reported by Reuters.
Recent Developments and Accusations
On Saturday, Trump commented on a possible US military operation in Iran. He said, "The best decision he ever made was not hanging more than 800 people two days ago." The nationwide protests that rocked Iran over the last three weeks were the nation's worst unrest in years.
Khamenei accused Iran's longtime enemies, the US and Israel, of organizing the violence. He claimed that agents of the US and Israel operating inside Iran started fires, destroyed public property, and incited chaos. Khamenei emphasized that these agents "committed crimes and a grave slander."
In a post on X, Khamenei reiterated his accusations against Trump. He stated, "We find the US President guilty due to the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation." This ongoing war of words highlights the deep tensions between the two nations.
