Trump Calls For New Leadership In Iran Amid Nationwide Protests

U.S. President Donald Trump said it is time to seek new leadership in Iran, condemning Supreme Leader Khamenei as “sick” amid nationwide unrest.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday urged an end to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s 37-year rule in Iran, saying the country urgently needs new leadership. The remarks came a day after Trump thanked Iranian authorities for halting what he described as “more than 800 executions” following nationwide protests.

Trump accused Khamenei of relying on repression and violence to govern, claiming the leader’s actions had caused widespread destruction and unprecedented levels of bloodshed. “To keep the country standing at all, the leadership should focus on proper governance, not mass killings,” he said.

The statements were released hours after Khamenei delivered a speech acknowledging the deaths of “several thousand people” during the protests, which erupted in late December over economic hardships. He blamed the United States for inciting unrest and accused Trump of encouraging protesters.

Human rights groups, including the Iran Human Rights organization based in Norway, report that over 3,400 protesters have been killed, with thousands more injured by security forces. Independent verification is difficult due to limited internet access and government restrictions.

Earlier, Iranian officials downplayed the scale of the violence. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi claimed only “a few hundred” were killed, blaming “armed terrorists” rather than state security forces, highlighting a stark discrepancy with independent reports.

The protests represent the most severe unrest in Iran in years, spreading across major cities, including Tehran and Isfahan. Economic grievances, including rising prices and unemployment, fueled widespread participation and civil resistance.

Observers say Trump’s statements signal an intensification of tensions between Washington and Tehran at a sensitive juncture in the Middle East, raising concerns about potential diplomatic and geopolitical consequences for regional stability.

The conflicting narratives underscore the deep divisions within Iran and between Tehran and Washington. While the Iranian government defends its actions as maintaining order, international observers warn that the heavy toll could further destabilize the nation.

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