'Time for New Leadership in Iran'
BREAKING: Trump Calls for Khamenei's End
"It's time for new leadership." Trump explicitly calls for the end of Khamenei’s rule in a fiery ultimatum. As the regime cracks down, the President warns of strikes "at levels never seen before."
President Donald Trump explicitly called for a change in Iran's leadership on Saturday, January 17, stating, “It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran,” in an interview with POLITICO.
The remarks came after Trump was presented with a series of hostile X posts from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whom Trump accused of "the complete destruction of his country." This marks one of Trump's most direct calls for regime change since the recent wave of protests in Iran began to subside.
Trump explained:
What he is guilty of, as a leader of a country, is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence on levels never seen before. In order to maintain the functioning of the country—even if that functioning is at a very low level—the leadership needs to focus on properly managing his country, as I do with the United States, and not on killing people by the thousands in order to maintain control.
The man is a sick person who needs to properly manage his country and stop killing people. His country is the worst place in the world to live in because of failed leadership.
The statement aligns with Trump's ongoing rhetoric amid Iran's unrest, which erupted in late December 2025 over economic grievances and demands for political reform. Trump has repeatedly expressed support for the protesters, urging them to "keep protesting" and "take over your institutions," while promising "help is on its way" without specifying details.
He has also threatened military action if the regime continues its crackdown, warning of strikes "at levels they've never been hit before" and canceling planned meetings with Iranian officials until the violence stops.
Khamenei, in turn, blamed the protests' casualties on Trump, accusing him of emboldening demonstrators and pledging U.S. military support.
Iranian officials have also pointed fingers at the U.S. and Israel for instigating the unrest, amid reports of a severe security response, including internet blackouts and hundreds of deaths.
Despite the tough talk, Trump has held back from military strikes, reportedly at the urging of allies like Israel and Arab nations, and has claimed the killings have stopped based on "good authority."
He has been briefed on strike options but emphasized a desire to "win" in Iran, potentially through negotiations, while questioning opposition figures like exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's ability to govern.
The broader context reflects Trump's chaotic Iran policy: From withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 to seeking a new agreement upon his 2025 return to office, only to face setbacks from Israeli strikes and ongoing tensions.