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Iran Warns Attack on Khamenei Would Spark "All-Out War" Amid Trump Clash

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a stark warning that any attack on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be considered a declaration of "all-out war" against Iran. This comes after former US President Donald Trump called for new leadership in Iran, criticizing Khamenei's rule as repressive and destructive. Khamenei had previously labeled Trump a "criminal," holding him responsible for casualties during Iranian unrest. The exchange highlights the持续 tense relations between the two nations, marked by sanctions and verbal confrontations.

Key Points: Iran Warns of "All-Out War" if Khamenei is Attacked

  • Iran warns of all-out war if Khamenei is attacked
  • Trump calls for new leadership in Iran
  • Khamenei labels Trump a "criminal"
  • Tensions fueled by US sanctions and protests
  • Diplomatic relations remain fraught
2 min read

Iran's president warns strikes on Khamenei would lead to 'all-out war'

Iranian President Pezeshkian warns US that any strike on Supreme Leader Khamenei would mean war, escalating a tense exchange with Donald Trump.

"Any attack on our great leader will be tantamount to an all-out war against the Iranian nation. - Masoud Pezeshkian"

Tehran, Jan 19

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that any attack on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be considered a declaration of "all-out war" against the Iranian nation, following a sharp exchange of rhetoric with US President Donald Trump.

Pezeshkian's comments, posted on social media platform X, come amid heightened tensions after Trump told Politico on Saturday that it was "time to look for new leadership in Iran."

"Any attack on our great leader will be tantamount to an all-out war against the Iranian nation," Pezeshkian wrote.

The Iranian president also blamed Washington for the country's economic struggles, citing "longstanding hostility" and "inhumane sanctions" imposed by the United States and its allies as the primary drivers of hardship for the Iranian people, Xinhua news agency reported.

The diplomatic spat intensified earlier on Saturday when Khamenei labeled Trump a "criminal," holding him responsible for casualties and damages sustained during recent periods of domestic unrest in Iran.

Trump called for an end to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's decades-long rule, saying the country needs new leadership as it faces sustained public unrest.

Speaking to Politico on Saturday, Trump said, "It's time to look for new leadership in Iran," following weeks of protests that have rocked the Islamic Republic. The demonstrations have been driven by public anger over political repression, economic hardship, and human rights abuses.

Trump strongly criticised Iran's leadership, accusing it of governing through violence and fear. Referring to alleged executions, he told the publication, "The best decision he ever made was not hanging more than 800 people two days ago."

The US president argued that Iran's current leadership depends on repression to remain in power and blamed Khamenei for what he described as the country's downfall. Trump accused the supreme leader of presiding over the "complete destruction of the country" and of using unprecedented levels of violence to suppress dissent.

Relations between Tehran and Washington have remained fraught since Trump's return to the White House, characterized by a continuation of the "maximum pressure" policy and frequent verbal confrontations between the two leaderships.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Trump's comments are incredibly irresponsible. Calling for regime change from outside never works and only strengthens hardliners. The Iranian people should decide their future, not foreign powers. This just reminds me of the history of external interference in our own region. 😕
V
Vikram M
While I don't support the Iranian regime's actions, Pezeshkian has a point about the sanctions. They hurt ordinary citizens the most. India has to navigate this carefully - we need Iranian oil but also good relations with the US. A tough diplomatic tightrope.
R
Rohit P
All this war-mongering is bad for global stability. Oil prices will shoot up, our economy will suffer. Why can't world leaders talk instead of threaten? India should play a mediator role here, we have relations with both.
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Sarah B
Living in Mumbai, I see how interconnected the world is. A conflict in the Gulf affects everything from petrol prices to our exports. The human rights issues in Iran are serious, but escalation helps no one. The focus should be on supporting the Iranian people's aspirations, not threats.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, President Pezeshkian blaming only US sanctions is a partial truth. The Iranian leadership's own economic mismanagement and spending on proxies abroad is a huge factor in their people's hardship. The youth there want change, and external threats just divert from that internal demand.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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