Trump and Khamenei Exchange Accusations Amid Iran Protests
US President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have engaged in a heated exchange of accusations. Khamenei labelled Trump a 'criminal' for his role in protests that reportedly resulted in over 3,000 deaths. In response, Trump called Khamenei a 'sick man' and criticized his leadership, suggesting it is time for new leadership in Iran. The tensions escalated following protests that began on December 28 due to economic hardships. Khamenei attributed the unrest to US and Israeli influence, while Trump threatened military intervention if Iran executed protesters. The situation remains volatile as both leaders continue to blame each other for the violence in Iran.
Published 1 day ago • 18 Jan 2026, 08:14 AM IST