Washington DC [US]: US President Donald Trump on Saturday openly urged a change in Iran’s leadership, criticising the long-standing rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as nationwide protests intensify across the Islamic Republic.
In an interview with Politico, Trump said Iran needs “new leadership,” blaming the current regime for economic collapse, rising inflation, and widespread public dissatisfaction. He accused Tehran’s leadership of relying on force and repression to retain power.
Trump alleged that Iran’s rulers have caused severe damage to the country, stating that excessive violence has been used to suppress dissent. He said leadership should be rooted in respect and effective governance, not fear or mass casualties.
The US President also launched a personal attack on Khamenei, describing him as an ineffective leader and asserting that Iran’s deteriorating living conditions are a direct result of poor governance.
Trump’s remarks followed statements by Khamenei, who accused the US President of instigating unrest in Iran. In multiple posts on X, the Iranian leader blamed Washington for violence during the protests and rejected Trump’s support for demonstrators.
Khamenei further alleged that the US misrepresented violent groups as the voice of the Iranian people, calling such claims defamatory. He accused Trump of backing what he termed “seditionists” and claimed the US President was complicit in destabilising the country.
The exchange underscores the growing war of words between Washington and Tehran as Iran grapples with prolonged unrest.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), protests across Iran have continued for over three weeks, accompanied by internet restrictions and strict security measures. The agency reported that more than 3,300 people have been killed so far, with thousands more injured or detained. Over 24,000 arrests have been recorded, while several thousand cases remain under investigation.
For the first time, Khamenei has acknowledged that thousands of people have lost their lives during the unrest, marking a rare admission amid the ongoing crisis.
