Iran warns any attack on Khamenei would be a declaration of war

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned on Sunday that any attack on the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be a declaration of war, posting on X in an apparent response to speculation that Donald Trump is considering an attempt to assassinate or remove Khamenei.

Pezeshkian also blamed the US for the protests that have rocked Iran, saying “one of the main causes is the longstanding hostility and inhumane sanctions imposed by the US government and its allies.” In a Politico interview, Trump called for an end to Khamenei’s nearly 40-year rule and described him as “a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people.” The latest wave of unrest began on 28 December with protests over soaring inflation, a collapsing currency and economic hardship that broadened into anti-government demonstrations demanding regime change.

Iranian authorities responded on 8 January with a near-total shutdown of internet and phone services, cutting off most global connectivity in an effort to suppress communication and stifle reporting, according to the report. Trump urged Iranians to keep protesting, saying “take over your institutions” and that “help is on its way,” as reports grew that a strike on Iran was imminent.

Key Topics

World, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Masoud Pezeshkian, Donald Trump, Iran, Iran Protests