Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged Donald Trump to concentrate on governing the United States, following the US President’s warning to take severe action against Tehran if it harms protesters.
Speaking on state TV, Khamenei declared Iran’s determination to stand firm against demonstrators criticizing the regime. He accused Trump of being responsible for the deaths of over a thousand Iranians and foretold the downfall of the “arrogant” US leader.
Khamenei criticized protesters for damaging their own streets to please a foreign president, referring to Trump. Washington has not responded immediately, but Trump reiterated his readiness to strike Iran in response to protester casualties.
Despite Iran’s government cutting off internet and international phone communications, online videos shared by activists showed protests in Tehran and other areas with people chanting against the regime near bonfires amid debris.
Iranian state media alleged that “terrorist agents” from the US and Israel instigated violence by setting fires. They mentioned “casualties,” without providing further details.
Due to the communication blackout, the true extent of the protests remains unclear. However, these demonstrations represent a significant escalation in opposition to the government, initially sparked by economic struggles and now posing a substantial challenge.
The protests, which began on December 28, have intensified due to Iran’s economic woes exacerbated by US sanctions following a war with Israel and a decline in the country’s currency value.
Trump reiterated his warning to Iran regarding the protection of protesters, vowing a swift and forceful response if violence occurs during demonstrations.
The US commitment to intervene has gained significance after American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a close ally of Tehran.
Reports indicate that over 390 protests have occurred across all Iranian provinces, resulting in at least 42 deaths and over 2,270 arrests.
Information from Iranian state media on the protests has been limited, with online videos offering only fleeting glimpses of the unrest, making it challenging to assess the full impact of the demonstrations.