Trump: 'It's time for change in Iran'

US President Trump said it was 'time for change' in Iran, saying its people 'yearned for freedom'.

US President Donald Trump said "it's time for a change" in Iran on Twitter on January 1. Photo: Twitter/realDonaldTrump.

"Iran is failing on every level, despite the terrible deal made with the Obama administration," US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter today, referring to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, AFP reported. "The Iranian people have been oppressed for many years. They crave food and freedom. Along with human rights, Iran's wealth is being stolen. Time for change!"

President Trump addressed the issue of Iran after anti-government protests broke out in the capital Tehran last weekend, reposting videos of his speeches to the United Nations General Assembly in September.

"Repressive regimes cannot last forever. The day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice," Mr. Trump repeated the content of a speech.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani responded, saying that Iranians have the right to protest but Mr. Trump has no right to sympathize with them. Mr. Rouhani said that protests should help improve the situation and life, and should not lead to violence or destruction of public property.

"This man in America is showing sympathy for our people, forgetting that he himself called Iran a terrorist state a few months ago. This man who is fiercely against Iran has no right to sympathize with the Iranian people," Mr. Rouhani said.

Tens of thousands of Iranians have been protesting across the country since December 28, 2017, against the government and Iran's foreign policy in the region. They are dissatisfied with the country's economic situation and corruption. They also chanted slogans in support of political prisoners.

Clashes at protests have left 12 Iranians dead, including 10 on the night of December 31, Iranian state television reported today. President Rouhani said the Iranian people would respond to "rioters and lawlessness".

According to VNE