The unrest that started on December 28 has resulted in significant casualties during a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities. Ayatollah Khamenei accused the US President of supporting the seditious individuals and seeking to dominate Iran’s resources. He labeled the US President a criminal for the casualties and damages caused during the protests. The Ayatollah described the protesters as agents of the United States who vandalized mosques and educational institutions. He attributed the deaths of “several thousand” to those involved in the civil unrest.
The protests began due to economic concerns as the government eliminated currency subsidies, leading to a surge in prices amidst a high inflation rate. Reports indicate that thousands have been killed, with varying estimates putting the death toll as high as 10,000, the most significant since the 1979 revolution in Iran.
President Trump criticized Ayatollah Khamenei’s leadership and called for a change in regime. Despite previous aggressive statements, Trump recently mentioned Iran’s cancellation of planned executions, hinting at a potential shift in stance towards military action. He had previously assured support for Iranian protesters and warned against further violence by Iranian authorities.
Ayatollah Khamenei claimed that rioters possessed foreign-imported live ammunition and stressed the need to address both domestic and international offenders without escalating towards war. The situation in Iran has calmed down after the suppression of protests, with officials blaming the US and Israel for instigating unrest. Iranian state media has not reported any recent protests in Tehran, indicating a return to normalcy in the capital.