SRINAGAR: US President Donald Trump has called for an end to the 37-year rule of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating that it is “time to look for new leadership in Iran,” as anti-government protests continue across the country, driven by rising inflation, economic hardship, and public anger over governance.
In an interview with Politico, Trump criticised Tehran’s leadership for relying on violence and repression to maintain control. “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 said.
He added that leadership should be based on respect rather than fear, describing Khamenei as “a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people.” Trump further called Iran “the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership.”
The remarks follow a series of posts by Khamenei on X, in which he blamed Trump for the unrest and casualties in Iran. Khamenei accused the former US President of misrepresenting violent groups as representing the Iranian people, calling it “an appalling slander,” and alleged that Trump encouraged sedition by signalling support for protesters.
We find the US President guilty due to the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 17, 2026
According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), protests in Iran have entered their 21st day amid internet blackouts and heavy security crackdowns. HRANA reported that 3,308 people have died so far, with 4,382 cases still under investigation. At least 2,107 individuals have sustained serious injuries, and 24,266 arrests have been recorded.
Following weeks of widespread protests across Iran, accompanied by internet and communication blackouts, heavy security crackdowns, and reports of unprecedented deaths and repression, US President Donald Trump has intensified tensions in Tehran and the region by warning of possible military action if the violence continues to escalate.
