US President Donald Trump made a bold statement on Saturday, directly calling for an end to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's long-standing rule in Iran. In comments shared with POLITICO, Trump declared it is time for Iran to seek new leadership. This remark came as widespread protests across Iran, which had demanded regime change, appeared to slow down after intense crackdowns.
Trump's Shifting Stance on Iran Protests
Over the past three weeks, thousands of protesters lost their lives in Iran, prompting Trump to issue repeated threats of military intervention. On Tuesday, he encouraged Iranians to continue their demonstrations and take control of institutions, promising that help was on the way. However, Trump abruptly changed his position the very next day. He stated he had received information indicating the killings had stopped.
When questioned about the potential scale of a US military operation in Iran, Trump commented on Saturday about Khamenei's recent decisions. He noted that the best decision Khamenei ever made was not executing more than 800 people two days prior.
Khamenei's Response and Accusations
Shortly before Trump's comments, Ayatollah Khamenei's account on X posted a series of aggressive messages targeting the US president. Khamenei accused Trump of being responsible for the deadly violence and unrest sweeping through Iran. In one post, he wrote that the US president is guilty due to the casualties, damages, and slander inflicted upon the Iranian nation.
Another message from Khamenei claimed Trump had misrepresented violent groups as speaking for the Iranian people, calling this an appalling slander. After these posts were read to him, Trump fired back, asserting that Tehran's rulers depend on repression and violence to maintain their grip on power.
Trump's Critique of Iranian Leadership
Trump elaborated on his views, stating that Khamenei, as the leader of a country, is guilty of completely destroying Iran and employing violence at unprecedented levels. He argued that to keep the country functioning, even at a very low level, the leadership should focus on proper governance instead of killing thousands to retain control.
Trump emphasized that true leadership is about respect, not fear and death. He added personal criticism, describing Khamenei as a sick man who should run his country properly and stop the killings. According to Trump, Iran has become the worst place to live globally because of poor leadership.
Escalating Rhetoric Between US and Iran
This heated exchange highlights the sharpening rhetoric between Washington and Tehran during a volatile period for the region. It follows a recent public address by Khamenei where he claimed the Iranian nation has defeated America. Trump's remarks take the confrontation further on a personal level, denouncing both Khamenei and Iran's system of governance.
The situation remains tense as both leaders exchange accusations, with Trump pushing for leadership change while Khamenei holds firm against external pressure. The international community watches closely as these developments unfold.
