Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a strong warning, stating that any attack on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be treated as a declaration of war against Iran. His remarks come amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington, following comments by US President Donald Trump calling for new leadership in Iran.
In a post shared on social media, Pezeshkian stressed that targeting the supreme leader would amount to full scale war with the Iranian nation. The statement was widely seen as a direct response to Trump’s recent interview in which he questioned Iran’s current leadership and suggested political change.
The warning comes at a sensitive moment for Iran, as the country has recently experienced widespread protests fueled by economic hardship. These demonstrations, which erupted in late December, were described by authorities as initially peaceful before turning into violent unrest. Iranian officials have blamed foreign interference, particularly from the United States and Israel, for escalating the situation.
Following nearly ten days of a nationwide internet blackout, limited access has now begun to return. Schools reopened over the weekend after a week long closure, and officials said communications services would be restored gradually. Security forces remain visible in major cities, including Tehran, as the government claims order has been restored.
Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership has taken a hardline stance against protesters. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei alleged that thousands were killed by what he called foreign backed agents, while local media reported deaths among security personnel. Authorities have confirmed thousands of arrests, with the judiciary warning that some detainees could face capital charges under laws related to waging war against the state.
Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said those responsible for inciting violence and damaging public property would face swift trials and would not be spared punishment. Human rights groups have expressed concern over the potential use of the death penalty against protesters, even as Trump claimed Iran had paused hundreds of executions.
As rhetoric intensifies on both sides, analysts warn that escalating political statements could further destabilise the region, particularly after last year’s brief but intense military confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
