Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Donald Trump
TL;DR
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei strongly blamed Donald Trump and the United States for inciting deadly internal protests in Iran.
Key Points
He accused Donald Trump and the US of being behind the deaths of 'several thousand' people during anti-government protests published on January 18, 2026.
The former American president later publicly mused about influencing the leadership selection in Iran following the assassination of the Supreme Leader.
The Supreme Leader's administration viewed the former president as an active enemy seeking to control Iran's political succession.
Summary
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has directly accused President Donald Trump and the US government of being the architects behind the deaths of thousands during recent anti-government demonstrations within Iran, alleging clear foreign interference in the country's internal affairs. The Supreme Leader specifically cited the former American president and his administration as being responsible for orchestrating the violence that accompanied weeks of unrest. This stance solidifies a long-standing Iranian narrative blaming external actors, particularly the US, for undermining the Islamic Republic through internal opposition movements.
This accusation of direct involvement followed a period of heightened tension and military action involving the US and Israel against Iran. Furthermore, following the reported death of the Supreme Leader, Donald Trump publicly stated his desire to influence the selection of his successor, suggesting a desired outcome similar to his intervention in Venezuela. Khamenei's position frames the former president as an active enemy seeking to destabilize and control Iran's political succession.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei views Donald Trump as a primary antagonist responsible for fomenting internal unrest within Iran. He directly accused the former president of being behind the deaths associated with recent nationwide protests. This indicates a strong, consistently negative perception of Trump's foreign policy intentions toward the Islamic Republic.
The available information suggests that the Supreme Leader's position toward Donald Trump remains consistently oppositional, framing him as a hostile external force. He has vocally blamed the former president for recent internal turmoil, which aligns with long-standing Iranian rhetoric against US interference. There is no indication that his fundamental stance has evolved.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly blamed Donald Trump and the US for the deaths of thousands during weeks of anti-government protests. He alleged that the violence was a result of direct foreign involvement orchestrated by the American administration. This statement ties US policy directly to domestic instability.
Sources3
'Worst-case scenario': Trump weighs replacing Khamenei as leader of Iran
Iran Delays Naming New Supreme Leader | TIME
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.