Iranian president warns attack on supreme leader would be declaration of war

Iranian president warns attack on supreme leader would be declaration of war

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stark warning, framing any potential attack on the country's highest authority as an act of war. The statement escalates the rhetorical confrontation with the United States amidst domestic unrest and heightened international tensions.

A direct response to US rhetoric

In a post on social media platform X, Pezeshkian stated, "An attack on the great leader of our country is tantamount to a full-scale war with the Iranian nation." The remarks appear to be a direct response to recent comments from former US President Donald Trump, who in an interview described Khamenei as a "sick man" and called for new leadership in Iran, which he labeled the "worst place to live."

Blaming US sanctions for domestic woes

Pezeshkian linked the economic difficulties fueling domestic protests to external pressure, arguing that one of the main reasons for the people's hardships is "the longstanding enmity and inhumane sanctions imposed by the United States government and its allies." This narrative shifts the focus from internal governance to external coercion, a common theme in Iranian official statements.

Context of protests and mutual accusations

The warning comes amid nationwide anti-government protests triggered by a severe economic crisis and the collapse of the national currency, the rial. Supreme Leader Khamenei has previously accused Trump of being the "main culprit" behind protest casualties. The situation grew more volatile after a call for protests from the US-based son of Iran's former monarch. For neighboring nations like Türkiye, which seek to avoid a regional war, such direct threats highlight the dangerously escalating cycle of rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.