‘Manage Your Own Country’: Iran’s Khamenei Message To Trump

A fierce war of words has broken out between Tehran and Washington as the 83rd day of nationwide Iranian protests marks a dangerous new chapter in regional instability. Following US President Donald Trump’s declaration that the United States is “ready to help” Iranians seeking freedom, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei fired back on Sunday, telling Trump to focus on his own domestic crises.

Khamenei to Trump: “Manage Your Own Country”

In a televised address and a subsequent message on X (formerly Twitter), the 86-year-old Supreme Leader accused Trump of hypocrisy. Khamenei pointed to the escalating unrest in the United States—specifically the protests over the killing of Renee Good—as evidence of American incompetence.

“The President of the United States declared that… he would side with the rioters. If he is so competent, let him manage his own country then,” Khamenei wrote.

He further alleged that the protesters are merely “saboteurs” acting to please the American president, whom he accused of having hands “stained with the blood of a thousand Iranians” following the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June 2025.

The Domestic Crisis: Minneapolis on Edge

Khamenei’s “manage your own country” jab refers to a surge of protests across America following the January 7 shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis.

• The Incident: Good, a mother of three and a poet, was fatally shot in her car by an ICE agent (Jonathan Ross) during a massive immigration enforcement operation.
• The Fallout: While Trump defended the agent, claiming he acted in self-defense, witness footage suggests the agent was not in the path of the vehicle.
• National Unrest: Over 1,000 protest events were planned across the U.S. this weekend under the slogan “ICE, Out for Good,” with thousands marching in Minneapolis to demand federal accountability.

Military Tensions: “Legitimate Targets”

As the rhetoric escalates, Iran’s military leadership has moved from verbal defense to explicit threats of retaliation.

• Ghalibaf’s Warning: Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on state TV that any U.S. strike would turn American bases, shipping centers, and Israel into “legitimate targets.”
• Trump’s Stance: Trump has reportedly been briefed on military strike options.¹¹ He has warned that while he does not want “boots on the ground,” he is prepared to hit Iran “very, very hard where it hurts” if the regime continues to use lethal force against its citizens.

Current Conflict Status (January 11, 2026)