Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has advised Donald Trump to focus on managing his own country following the US President’s threat to take severe action against Tehran if it harms protestors. Khamenei emphasized that Iran will stand firm against the demonstrators opposing the regime, accusing Trump of having the blood of numerous Iranians on his hands and foreseeing his eventual downfall.
Khamenei criticized the protesters for sacrificing their own streets to please a foreign leader, alluding to Trump. Despite no immediate response from Washington, Trump reiterated his intention to retaliate against Iran in case of protester casualties.
Despite Iran’s government disconnecting the nation from the internet and international calls, videos circulating online showed protesters voicing dissent against the Iranian authorities near bonfires amid street debris in Tehran and other regions. Iranian state media alleged that US and Israeli operatives incited violence and fires, with reports of unspecified casualties.
The extent of the demonstrations remained unclear due to the communication blackout, marking a significant escalation in protests triggered by Iran’s economic challenges. The protests, which began on December 28, have gained momentum, stemming from economic woes exacerbated by a recent war initiated by Israel and subsequent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Economic pressures intensified after the UN reimposed sanctions on Iran in September due to its atomic program, causing a sharp decline in Iran’s rial currency value. Trump reiterated his warning of strong action against Iran if it targets protesters rallying against the government over economic hardships.
Trump emphasized the US commitment to supporting the protesters, particularly after American forces detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an ally of Tehran. Reports indicated over 390 protests across Iran’s provinces, resulting in at least 42 deaths and over 2,270 arrests.
Gauging the protest scale has been challenging, with Iranian state media offering limited information. Online videos provide brief glimpses of street demonstrations and sporadic sounds of gunfire.