Trump urges new leadership in Iran after nationwide protests
President Donald Trump on Saturday called for regime change in Iran amid ongoing nationwide protests.
“It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran,” Trump said in an interview.
Trump’s remarks followed a defiant address from Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who accused Trump of encouraging “agitators” and called him “a criminal, both for the casualties, for the damages, and for the slander directed at the Iranian nation.” Khamenei said key protesters had been detained, and semiofficial reports indicated the demonstrations had largely subsided.
Trump criticized Khamenei and Iran, calling him “a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people.” He added, “His country is the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership.”
Thousands of protesters have been killed since the unrest began. Earlier in the week, Trump encouraged Iranians to “take over institutions” and continue their protests, saying that “help is on its way.” On Friday, he noted that he “greatly” respected Iran’s leadership for canceling more than 800 scheduled hangings, though the White House did not provide independent verification of that figure.
The crackdown on demonstrations has resulted in at least 3,090 deaths and 22,123 arrests, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which compiles data through supporter networks and internal verification. Khamenei on Saturday publicly acknowledged for the first time that thousands had been killed, an admission higher than previous official statements.
The escalating tensions have led the U.S. to reinforce its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional forces, aircraft, and defense systems to prepare for potential Iranian retaliation. Key personnel have also been evacuated from the U.S.’s largest military base in the region as Trump considers possible actions in response to the unrest.
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