Trump Calls for End of Iranian Regime as Protests and Military Tensions Intensify

U.S. President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric against Iran on January 19, 2026, calling for the end of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s regime in a Politico interview, labeling him a “sick man” who must cease the killing of protesters.

This follows Khamenei’s accusations that Trump incited deadly violence within Iran, amid a brutal crackdown on nationwide demonstrations that have persisted despite an internet blackout. Reports indicate the Iranian regime has employed snipers, chemical weapons, and Revolutionary Guard forces to suppress uprisings, with estimates of nearly 20,000 protesters killed and over 300,000 injured, including executions in hospitals and home invasions.

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged continued protests, claiming the Islamic regime is nearing collapse and broadcasting messages via hackers.

The U.S. has bolstered its Middle East military presence, deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, F-15 fighters, anti-missile batteries, and F-35s to allies like Israel, signaling that “all options are on the table” for potential intervention. Iran has warned against any U.S. strike, with officials vowing retaliation. Israeli observers view the events as potentially prophetic, while a ceasefire in Syria between the government and Kurdish-led forces may reflect tacit U.S. approval amid regional shifts. The crisis has drawn international condemnation, with calls for humanitarian aid and monitoring of human rights abuses.