U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday (Jan. 17) called for a change in Iran’s leadership, accusing the regime of unprecedented levels of violence towards protestors.
Trump made the remarks to news outlet Politico saying Iran’s supreme leader is guilty of “the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before.”
Thousands of anti-regime protesters took to the streets of Iran this week. Trump voiced support, urging protesters to take over their institutions saying he would come to the aid and threatening action on the regime if protesters were killed.
While Trump has thanked the regime for canceling the executions of some 800 protesters on Friday, London-based outlet Iran International reported as many as 12,000 have been killed.
Other sources cited varying death tolls.
Multiple reports said the protests have subsided over the past two days.
It is unclear if Trump will take any military action against Iran.
Meanwhile the U.S. State Department’s Persian language account said it heard reports that Iran is preparing to target U.S. bases adding that an attack on U.S. assets would be met with “very powerful force.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei on Saturday rejected the claim, describing the assertions as part of Washington’s efforts to stoke tensions, according to Iran International.
He said the claim was in line with what he called the U.S.’ ongoing policy of “instability-making” in the region.
