President Donald Trump has explicitly called for the end of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s 37-year rule, telling POLITICO on Saturday that “it’s time to look for new leadership in Iran.” The remarks signal a sharp personal escalation between the two leaders following a series of hostile posts from the Supreme Leader’s X (formerly Twitter) account.
The exchange began when Khamenei posted a graphic depicting a crumbling sarcophagus with Trump’s likeness, captioned “Like Pharaoh,” and accused the U.S. President of being a “criminal” responsible for the thousands of deaths during recent protests. “We find the US President guilty due to the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation,” Khamenei wrote.
When read the posts during an interview, Trump fired back, labeling the Supreme Leader a “sick man” who relies on fear to maintain power. “What he is guilty of… 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.”
The Context of the Feud:
* The “800 Executions” Dispute: On Wednesday, Trump abruptly paused potential military strikes after claiming “very important sources” assured him that the regime had halted the execution of 800 protesters. However, Tehran’s chief prosecutor, Ali Salehi, mocked this claim on Saturday, calling it “nonsense” and vowing “firm, deterrent, and swift” legal action against detainees—a signal that the reprieve may be a mirage.
* Military Posture: The rhetorical flare-up comes as the U.S. maintains a high state of readiness. Although some immediate strike plans were shelved mid-week following diplomatic pressure from Arab allies and Israel, the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group continues to steam toward the region, and U.S. forces in Qatar remain dispersed.
* Legacy of Conflict: The tension is underpinned by the shadow of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” the June 2025 U.S. airstrikes that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump referenced his own governance style in contrast to Khamenei’s, stating, “The leadership should focus on running his country properly, like I do with the United States.”
The President’s call for regime change—phrased as “new leadership”—moves beyond his previous focus on behavior modification (such as ending nuclear enrichment) and directly challenges the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic’s core institution. With protests appearing to wane under the weight of a crackdown that has killed thousands, Trump’s comments may be an attempt to reignite the streets by signaling that Washington’s end goal is now the Ayatollah’s departure.
Footage Charlie Kirk has been shot
Charlie Kirk has been shot
