Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued an implied warning to President Donald Trump through a post showing a decaying statue that bears a likeness to Trump. The post hints that the US president could meet the same end as infamous historical despots. This warning has surfaced amid growing unrest over protests happening across Iran.
Trump has declared a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran and has made repeated threats of military intervention in support of the protesters, who are grappling with a harsh response from the government.
On his official Farsi-language account, Khamenei wrote that the “father figure who sits there with arrogance and pride” would meet the same fate as historic oppressors such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, and former Iranian leaders Reza Khan and Mohammad Reza. He also suggested that Trump “too will be overthrown” at the height of his pride.
Prior to Khamenei’s response, Trump suggested that Iran was keen on negotiations with the US. He claimed that Iranian leaders had approached him for a meeting, which was being planned, but warned that military action might precede any diplomatic engagement.
White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, reiterated that all options, including airstrikes, are on the table concerning Iran, but highlighted that diplomacy is the president’s first choice.
The protests in Iran began in late December in downtown Tehran over rising inflation and the depreciating value of the rial. The protests soon spread to 186 cities across 31 provinces, with activists reporting 585 protest sites.
According to Iran Human Rights, the death toll has risen to at least 2,500 individuals, including a minimum of 12 children under the age of 18. Thousands more have been injured, as per the organization. However, the actual number of casualties could be higher, as independent verification is currently not possible due to a government-imposed internet blackout.
The Iranian government has characterized the protesters as armed rioters, instigated by the United States and Israel to create chaos. A mass funeral for 100 security forces was held near Tehran University, with authorities reporting that 109 security personnel had been killed in armed attacks during the protests.
Monitoring groups have reported over 10,000 arrests during the government’s crackdown. Iran’s judicial chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, indicated that protesters in custody would face swift trials, stating to state media that quick action was necessary for maximum impact.
Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old protester, could potentially face execution as the first anti-government protester sentenced to death. His family was informed by prison authorities that his execution had been postponed, but human rights groups caution that hangings could occur soon.
Trump has previously threatened “very strong action” if executions begin, stating that Iran was “looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before” and that the United States was ready to assist.
The State Department issued a security alert advising Americans to exit Iran immediately due to escalating protests and heightened security measures. The alert recommended departure overland to Armenia or Turkey and to plan for alternate communication methods in light of the ongoing internet blackout.
In response to escalating tensions, the United States and the United Kingdom withdrew some staff from the al-Udeid base in Qatar as a precautionary measure. Iran then closed its airspace to most flights, while Germany’s Lufthansa announced it would avoid flying over Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice.
Iran issued a warning to regional countries hosting American bases, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, stating it would target these installations if the United States attacked Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that the situation was under control, urging Washington to pursue diplomatic engagement.
Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary, announced new sanctions targeting 18 companies and individuals involved in Iran’s energy exports. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, along with other officials involved in the crackdown, was also sanctioned. Larijani was among the first Iranian leaders to advocate for violence in response to the protesters’ demands.
As tensions seemed to heighten, Trump softened his stance. He stated that he had been informed “on good authority” that the killings in Iran had stopped and that no executions were planned.
Mustafa Hijri, leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, based in Iraq, said his group was prepared to support the protesters. However, he cautioned that the time for armed intervention had not yet arrived, fearing it could provide the regime a pretext to intensify its crackdown.
Hijri voiced a need for international assistance, particularly American airstrikes targeting suppression forces and judicial institutions. He warned that sending armed forces across the border without wider support could backfire and endanger peaceful protesters.