Trump Calls for Ayatollah’s Removal, Slams Iran Regime/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has publicly called for regime change in Iran, labeling Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responsible for the country’s destruction and widespread violence. Following weeks of deadly unrest, Trump stated it’s time for “new leadership” and condemned the Iranian regime’s violent tactics. His comments come amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran following U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump Says Iran Needs New Leadership: Quick Looks
- Trump tells POLITICO it’s “time to look for new leadership in Iran.”
- Comes after widespread anti-government protests left thousands of Iranians dead.
- Trump condemns Ayatollah Khamenei for “complete destruction of his country.”
- Iranian Supreme Leader blames U.S. for unrest, calling Trump’s support “slander.”
- Trump calls Khamenei a “sick man” and Iran “the worst place to live.”
- Tensions escalate after Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025.
- Trump claims Iran avoided executing 800 protesters after U.S. pressure.
- The exchange highlights escalating rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.
- Trump accuses Iran of governing through repression and fear.
- Khamenei insists the “Iranian nation has defeated America.”
Deep Look: Trump Calls for Regime Change in Iran, Slams Khamenei as “Sick Man”
WASHINGTON (POLITICO) — President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Iran’s leadership on Saturday, directly calling for an end to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s decades-long rule. In a striking interview with POLITICO, Trump stated it was “time to look for new leadership in Iran,” as tensions between the two nations remain dangerously high.
His remarks come amid a period of significant unrest in Iran, where anti-government protests erupted across major cities. According to human rights groups, thousands of demonstrators were killed in a sweeping crackdown by Iranian security forces over the last month.
Trump: “Khamenei Has Destroyed His Country”
Trump did not hold back in his condemnation of Iran’s supreme leader, blaming him for both the ongoing violence and the country’s economic decline.
“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. “Leadership is about respect, not fear and death.”
Referring to Khamenei as a “sick man,” Trump went on to say that Iran has become “the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership.”
From Threats of Intervention to a Shift in Tone
In early January, Trump had repeatedly warned of military action if Iran continued its violent response to protests or executed political prisoners. On January 21, the U.S. carried out airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—prompting fierce condemnation from Tehran.
But just days later, Trump appeared to soften his stance, crediting Iran with halting plans to execute over 800 detainees.
“The best decision he ever made was not hanging more than 800 people two days ago,” Trump told POLITICO, suggesting the threat of U.S. force pressured Iran to back down from mass executions.
A War of Words: Iran’s Khamenei Fires Back
In response to Trump’s latest comments, Khamenei took to X (formerly Twitter) to blast the U.S. president. He accused Trump of fomenting unrest, falsely amplifying dissident groups, and being directly responsible for bloodshed in Iran.
“We find the U.S. President guilty due to the casualties, damages, and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation,” Khamenei wrote.
He claimed Trump had mischaracterized armed insurgents as protesters, calling it “an appalling slander.”
Trump Dismisses Iran’s Accusations
Trump, upon hearing Khamenei’s statements, responded sharply.
“In order to keep the country functioning — even though that function is at a very low level — the leadership should focus on running his country properly, like I do with the United States, and not killing people by the thousands in order to keep control.”
He reiterated his belief that violence and repression are foundational tools of the Iranian regime, not aberrations.
Mounting Global Pressure on Tehran
The U.S.-Iran relationship has remained strained for years, but Trump’s second term has seen dramatic escalations, especially since the June 2025 military strikes.
Tehran has accused the Trump administration of coordinating cyberattacks, economic sabotage, and funding dissident groups. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have pointed to Iran’s continued nuclear ambitions and brutal suppression of internal dissent as justification for pressure campaigns.
Despite the recent calm on the streets of Tehran, underlying tensions remain volatile, and both nations continue to exchange threats in the public arena.
A Strategic Play Ahead of November?
Some analysts believe Trump’s calls for regime change may have a political dimension, appealing to a hardline base as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
“Iran is a useful enemy for Trump politically,” said political analyst Maya Helman. “By portraying Khamenei as a villain and championing the Iranian people, Trump bolsters his narrative as a defender of global freedom while distracting from domestic criticisms.”
Trump’s Message to the Iranian People
In the interview, Trump also spoke directly to Iranian citizens, echoing earlier posts on Truth Social and remarks at public events:
“You don’t have to live under tyranny. The world is watching. Help is on the way.”
Though he offered no specifics, Trump’s rhetoric suggests continued covert and diplomatic support for dissidents inside Iran.
What’s Next: Rhetoric or Real Action?
With Iran’s supreme leader lashing out and Trump doubling down, the risk of further escalation looms. Whether the U.S. pursues additional military, economic, or diplomatic actions remains unclear, especially as protests appear to subside for now.
Khamenei, for his part, continues to insist that “the Iranian nation has defeated America,” despite international condemnation of his crackdown.
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