Trump: It's Time to Look for New Leadership in Iran

Translation by SadaNews - U.S. President Donald Trump stated that it is time to look for new leadership in Iran.

- Trump told Politico, according to a translation by SadaNews: "The rulers of Tehran rely on oppression and violence to govern. What he has committed, as the leader of the country, (Ali Khamenei) is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at unprecedented levels. In order to keep the country functioning - even if this function is extremely limited - the leadership must focus on properly managing the country's affairs, as I do with the United States, not on killing thousands of people to maintain control."

He added: "Leadership is based on respect, not fear and death. This man is sick, (Ali Khamenei), and he must manage his country properly and stop killing people. His country is the worst place to live in the world due to poor leadership."

These statements came after remarks by the Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who accused U.S. President Donald Trump of causing "the loss of lives, damage, and tarnishing the reputation of the Iranian people" during the protests that have been witnessed in the country for weeks, describing him as a "criminal."

Media reports quoted Khamenei as saying, "The recent incitement against Iran was different, due to the personal involvement of the U.S. President in it," calling on authorities to "break the back of the instigators."

He noted that "those connected to Israel and the United States caused severe damage and killed several thousands," adding that they "started fires and destroyed public property and incited chaos," stating that they "committed crimes and issued serious slanders."

In comments that seemed to be a response to U.S. President Donald Trump, official media quoted Khamenei as saying, "We will not drag the country into war, but we will not allow local or international criminals to escape punishment."