Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has advised President Donald Trump to concentrate on managing his own country following Trump’s warning of severe consequences for Tehran if it targets protesters. Khamenei emphasized that Iran would stand firm against the demonstrators opposing the regime, accusing Trump of being responsible for the deaths of numerous Iranians and anticipating his downfall.
In response to the ongoing protests, Khamenei criticized the demonstrators for sacrificing their own streets to please a foreign leader, alluding to Trump. While Washington has not immediately reacted, Trump reiterated his readiness to act against Iran in the event of protester casualties.
Despite Iran’s blockage of internet and international communications, videos circulated by activists displayed protesters rallying against the government in Tehran and other regions amid scattered debris and bonfires. Iranian state media blamed “terrorist agents” from the US and Israel for instigating violence, mentioning unspecified casualties.
Due to the communication blackout, the true extent of the protests remains unclear, marking a significant challenge to the government triggered by economic grievances that escalated from December 28. The demonstrations were spurred by economic distress exacerbated by US-led sanctions and ongoing tensions with Israel, resulting in a sharp devaluation of Iran’s currency.
Trump has reiterated the threat of retaliation against Iran if it targets the protesters, whose numbers have swelled in recent weeks. The US commitment to intervene has gained significance after American forces apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key Iranian ally.
Reports from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency disclosed that over 390 protests have unfolded across Iran, resulting in at least 42 fatalities and over 2,270 arrests. Limited information from Iranian state media has hindered a comprehensive understanding of the protests, with only fragmentary online videos offering glimpses of the unrest.