Speaking to Daily Star Online, General Charles “Chuck” Wald said we were witnessing the “beginning of the end” for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The country has been under the rule of the Ayatollahs since 1979, when the so-called “Islamic Revolution” brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power, replacing the Western-backed Shah.

But the country has been gripped by protests in recent months, with more than 100,000 taking to the streets last month — many chanting “death to the dictator”.

Iran has been hit by fresh US sanctions in recent weeks, as US President Donald Trump rejects the nuclear deal made with the country by Barack Obama.

Now General Wald, who served in Vietnam and Bosnia, has made fresh claims about the country’s unrest.

“The anti-government movement has increased in recent months,” he said.

“People are tired of the economic situation in their country, they are tired of crisis.”

And General Wald said the estimated five million Iranians living abroad were playing a key role in destabilising the regime.

He went on: “Social media will change the world.”

The General had a warning for Iran’s leadership: “Only more unrest is coming.

“This is the beginning of the end.”

There have been thousands of pro-government protests in Iran to challenge the demonstrators.

At rallies this year, some held placards saying “Death to America and Israel” while others waved pictures of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Many have claimed the US is more interested in regime change than in genuine democratic change in Iran.

But General Wald insisted that the US had only the interests of the Iranian people at heart.

“We in the US would like Iran to be an ally,” he said.

“Our final goal is stability in the Middle East.”

It comes just a week after Iran’s leader called for military strengthening amid increasing tensions with its Middle East rival Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of “exporting terrorism” to its shores.

Last month, Daily Star Online spoke to President John F Kennedy’s nephew who claimed Iran can no longer co-exist with the US.

Source » dailystar