Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has urged US President Donald Trump to concentrate on managing his own country following Trump’s warning to take severe action against Tehran if it suppresses demonstrators. Khamenei affirmed that Iran will not yield to the individuals protesting against the regime and accused Trump of being responsible for the deaths of over a thousand Iranians, predicting his downfall.
According to Khamenei, protesters are damaging their own communities to please a foreign leader, referring to Trump. While there was no immediate reaction from Washington, Trump reiterated his stance to retaliate against Iran in case of protester fatalities.
Despite Iran’s government disconnecting the nation from the internet and international calls, online clips shared by activists displayed protesters denouncing the Iranian administration by bonfires on the streets of Tehran and other regions. Iranian state media alleged that “terrorist agents” from the US and Israel instigated fires and unrest, mentioning unspecified casualties.
The extent of the protests remains unclear due to communication restrictions, marking a notable increase in the demonstrations that initially stemmed from Iran’s economic struggles. The ongoing protests, triggered by economic hardships exacerbated by recent conflicts, have gained momentum since December 28.
Economic pressures on Iran intensified after the United Nations reintroduced sanctions on the country’s nuclear program in September, causing a sharp decline in the Iranian rial’s value. Trump has reiterated his warning to Iran about harsh repercussions if violence against protesters escalates.
Moreover, the US promise to intervene has raised concerns, particularly after American forces apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a close ally of Tehran. Reports from the Human Rights Activists News Agency indicate that over 390 protests have erupted in all of Iran’s provinces, resulting in at least 42 fatalities and over 2,270 detentions.
Gathering comprehensive information on the protests has been challenging due to the limited details provided by Iranian state media. Online videos offer only fleeting glimpses of the unrest in the streets, making it difficult to assess the situation accurately.