Iran's Supreme Leader Condemns Protests Amid Nationwide Unrest
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticizes ongoing protests, attributing them to foreign influence, as demonstrations continue across Iran.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has condemned the ongoing nationwide protests, accusing demonstrators of acting to please U.S. President Donald Trump.
"Last night in Tehran, a bunch of vandals came and destroyed a building that belongs to them to please the US president," Khamenei stated, as reported by Al-Monitor.
Despite a nationwide internet shutdown imposed by authorities, protesters have continued to gather in cities across Iran, expressing discontent over economic hardships and political grievances.
The Iranian government has attributed the unrest to foreign interference, particularly from the United States and Israel, labeling the demonstrators as "terrorists" and warning of impending crackdowns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his warning that the U.S. would act if Iranian forces harm peaceful demonstrators.
The protests, which began on December 28, have resulted in at least 42 deaths and over 2,270 arrests, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for continued demonstrations, urging Iranians to protest at 8 p.m. on consecutive nights.
The Iranian government has responded by cutting internet and communication lines, a move activists say is intended to prevent the world from witnessing the protests and to provide cover for security forces to suppress demonstrators.
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