Trump Calls for New Leadership in Iran After Weeks of Protests

United States President Donald Trump has called for new leadership in Iran following weeks of nationwide protests that have shaken the country.

Speaking in an interview with Politico on Saturday, Trump said, “It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran.” The White House did not immediately respond to requests for further comment on the remarks.

Trump’s comments came hours after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered a defiant address accusing Trump of encouraging unrest. Khamenei described Trump as “a criminal” responsible for casualties, damage, and what he called slander against the Iranian nation. He also said key agitators had been detained, while Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that protests had largely subsided.

In response, Trump sharply criticized Khamenei, calling him “a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people,” adding that Iran had become “the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership.”

A spokesperson for Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations declined to comment on Trump’s statements.

Human rights groups say the protests have led to significant loss of life. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that at least 3,090 people have been killed and 22,123 arrested since the unrest began. Without official government figures, HRANA said it relies on sources inside Iran and cross-checks data through multiple internal verification processes.

Earlier this week, Trump had urged Iranians to continue protesting and to “take over institutions,” saying that “help is on its way.” However, on Friday he struck a more conciliatory tone, saying he “greatly” respected reports that more than 800 scheduled executions had been cancelled. Iran’s judiciary confirmed that at least one man facing the death penalty would not be executed, though the White House did not provide evidence for the broader claim.

On the security front, a U.S. official told NBC News that the Pentagon is preparing to deploy additional forces and assets to the Middle East, including a carrier strike group, extra aircraft, and land-based air defense systems. The moves are intended to strengthen regional security amid rising tensions and the possibility of Iranian retaliation.

The United States has also begun evacuating key personnel from its largest military base in the Middle East as Trump weighs potential military action related to the situation in Iran.