Khamenei vows: "Trump will fall like Pharaoh and Nimrod"

In a defiant televised address on Friday Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a blistering warning to US President Donald Trump, declaring that the American leader would inevitably face a historical downfall.

The 86-year-old leader’s speech was delivered as Iran grappled with its most significant domestic challenge in years: a wave of nationwide protests that have spread to all 31 provinces following a dramatic collapse of the national currency.

A Prediction of Downfall

Speaking from his compound to an audience chanting "Death to America," Khamenei drew parallels between Trump and notorious historical figures.

• Historical Precedent: He warned that "world tyrants" such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, and the Pahlavi shahs were brought down at the very peak of their arrogance.
• Direct Threat: Referring to the US President, Khamenei explicitly predicted, "He too will be brought down".
• Rejection of US Aid: He dismissed Trump’s offers of support for Iranian citizens, suggesting the President should "manage his own country" and focus on the many internal problems within the United States.

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Accusations of "Blood-Stained" Hands

Khamenei’s comments were fueled by the memory of a brief but intense conflict in the summer of 2025, referred to as the "12-Day War".

• Casualty Claims: The Supreme Leader said that more than 1,000 Iranians were martyred during US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.
• The "Admission": He claimed that by taking credit for the military order, Trump’s "hands are stained with the blood of Iranians".

Hardline Response to Domestic Unrest

The address served as a signal that the Iranian regime would not compromise with the ongoing protest movement.

• Dismissal of Protesters: Khamenei characterized demonstrators as "vandals," "saboteurs," and "mercenaries" who were destroying public property solely to "please the heart" of the US President.
• Vow of Resilience: He stated firmly that the Islamic Republic "will not back down" in the face of what he described as foreign-backed destabilization efforts.
• Call for Unity: Urging his supporters to remain vigilant, he told the nation's youth that a "united nation will overcome any enemy".

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A Precarious Moment

As the speech aired, Iran remained under a widespread internet and communications blackout designed to hamper the coordination of further protests.

The country continues to face a grave economic crisis, with inflation surpassing 40% and the rial losing half its value in the last year alone.