Iran's President Warns Attack on Supreme Leader Khamenei Would Be "Declaration of War"
In a stark warning, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that any attack on the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be tantamount to a declaration of war. The president's comments come amid speculation that US President Donald Trump is considering an attempt to assassinate or remove Khamenei.
Pezeshkian's warning was issued in response to Trump's recent remarks calling for an end to Khamenei's nearly 40-year reign, with the US leader describing him as "a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people". Trump's comments were seen as a direct challenge to Iran's leadership, which has been criticized by human rights groups.
The latest wave of unrest in Iran began on December 28, when protests over economic hardship and inflation spilled into cities across the country. The government responded with a near-total shutdown of internet and phone services, cutting off global connectivity and suppressing independent reporting.
Despite the crackdown, reports continue to emerge of widespread arrests and deaths among protesters. At least 5,000 people have been killed in the unrest, according to an Iranian official, with many more injured or detained.
The US has maintained a tense relationship with Iran since Trump's presidency, with tensions escalating over issues such as nuclear proliferation and regional security. The latest development has raised fears of further conflict between the two nations.
As the situation in Iran continues to unfold, it remains unclear whether Trump's comments were intended to be a genuine call for reform or a thinly veiled threat against Khamenei. One thing is certain, however: any attempt to target the Iranian leadership would be met with fierce resistance from the country's military and security forces.
In a bizarre twist, Trump has recently thanked Tehran's leaders for calling off scheduled executions of protesters, including that of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was arrested after participating in protests. Soltani's family has expressed concerns over his treatment under custody, with his cousin Somayeh appealing to the international community to bring attention to his detention conditions.
As the situation in Iran remains fluid, one thing is clear: any attack on Khamenei or the Iranian leadership would be met with devastating consequences for both countries and the wider region.
In a stark warning, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that any attack on the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be tantamount to a declaration of war. The president's comments come amid speculation that US President Donald Trump is considering an attempt to assassinate or remove Khamenei.
Pezeshkian's warning was issued in response to Trump's recent remarks calling for an end to Khamenei's nearly 40-year reign, with the US leader describing him as "a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people". Trump's comments were seen as a direct challenge to Iran's leadership, which has been criticized by human rights groups.
The latest wave of unrest in Iran began on December 28, when protests over economic hardship and inflation spilled into cities across the country. The government responded with a near-total shutdown of internet and phone services, cutting off global connectivity and suppressing independent reporting.
Despite the crackdown, reports continue to emerge of widespread arrests and deaths among protesters. At least 5,000 people have been killed in the unrest, according to an Iranian official, with many more injured or detained.
The US has maintained a tense relationship with Iran since Trump's presidency, with tensions escalating over issues such as nuclear proliferation and regional security. The latest development has raised fears of further conflict between the two nations.
As the situation in Iran continues to unfold, it remains unclear whether Trump's comments were intended to be a genuine call for reform or a thinly veiled threat against Khamenei. One thing is certain, however: any attempt to target the Iranian leadership would be met with fierce resistance from the country's military and security forces.
In a bizarre twist, Trump has recently thanked Tehran's leaders for calling off scheduled executions of protesters, including that of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was arrested after participating in protests. Soltani's family has expressed concerns over his treatment under custody, with his cousin Somayeh appealing to the international community to bring attention to his detention conditions.
As the situation in Iran remains fluid, one thing is clear: any attack on Khamenei or the Iranian leadership would be met with devastating consequences for both countries and the wider region.
Trump's comments are super reckless, you know? I mean, calling Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a "sick man" is one thing, but actually trying to remove him or even worse, assassinate him? That's a whole different level of crazy 
. Iran has every right to be angry and defensive at this point.
. I think it's time for both sides to calm down and talk things out instead of resorting to threats or aggression.
. But at the end of the day, I'm all about peace and stability in the region. Can't we all just get along? 
I mean, what if it happens? What then? Its not right to threaten someone just to get your way... I lived through some tough times in my youth and I can tell you how scary it is to feel like youre walking on eggshells. The thought of someone being targeted like that just keeps me up at night... 
We should be trying to find ways to resolve our differences peacefully, not resorting to threats and violence.
And whats with these protests in Iran anyway? I heard they were because of economic stuff and inflation, but isnt that a global issue? Shouldnt we be talking about it instead of threatening each other's leaders? 
I mean im all for supporting free speech and stuff, but this is getting serious 
What if Iran just shuts down the internet like they did before? How will people even know whats going on? 
hope he gets outta that cell soon btw, 5k+ ppl dead? that's wild 
, like trump's comments are already super tense but now pezeshkian is saying that attacking khamenei would be like a declaration of war? that's super scary 
, i dont think anyone wants to mess with iran's military at all. and whats going on with trumps recent thanks to tehrans leaders for not executing protesters? that just seems really fishy 
, does he think they're gonna forgive him or what? anyway, the situation is getting more and more unstable by the day 