In a forceful video statement, President Donald Trump called on the people of Iran to rise against their government, a day after a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Addressing what he described as “Iranian patriots who long for freedom,” Trump encouraged citizens to seize what he portrayed as a historic opportunity to reclaim their nation’s future.
He urged them to “be brave, be bold, and be heroic,” assuring viewers that America stood firmly behind them. Framing the military action as a decisive turning point, Trump described the strikes as major combat operations that had shattered the existing power structure and left the country’s leadership in disarray. The death of Khamenei, who had ruled for decades, has reportedly created a significant power vacuum.
While encouraging public defiance, Trump also warned civilians to remain sheltered amid ongoing instability. He called on members of Iran’s military and security apparatus to lay down their weapons, cautioning that failure to do so would bring consequences.
The strikes have sharply intensified regional tensions. Iran has launched retaliatory attacks, and global leaders are closely monitoring whether internal unrest will follow Trump’s appeal for regime change.
