Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday accused some protesters of acting to please United States President Donald Trump, as he addressed the nation amid widespread unrest triggered by economic hardship.
In a televised address broadcast by state media, the 86-year-old leader said that those involved in violence and destruction were trying to make a foreign leader happy. “There are some rioters who want to please Trump. They are ruining their own streets to make the president of another country happy,” Khamenei said, adding that if Trump knew how to run a country, he would focus on problems within the United States.
Khamenei urged his supporters, particularly the youth, to remain united and prepared. “Dear young people, keep your readiness and your unity. A united nation will overcome any enemy,” he said.
He also accused the US president of being responsible for the deaths of Iranians, saying Trump’s hands were stained with the blood of more than 1,000 Iranians. The remarks referred to attacks carried out by the United States on Iran’s nuclear facilities last year.
Referring to the protests, Khamenei warned that the Islamic Republic would not retreat in the face of what he described as sabotage. “This system came to power with the blood of hundreds of thousands of honourable people and it will not back down,” he said.
As he spoke, the crowd present at the venue responded with chants of “Death to America,” according to Associated Press.
Iran has been witnessing nationwide protests for nearly two weeks over soaring inflation, a sharp fall in the value of the rial, unemployment and broader discontent with governance. Demonstrations that began in Tehran’s bazaars have spread to cities and towns across all 31 provinces.
Amid the escalating unrest, Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide internet and communication blackout, cutting off access to the outside world. Monitoring groups said the disruption appeared to be the result of deliberate government action, a measure often taken ahead of security crackdowns.
Rights groups have accused Iranian security forces of using live fire against protesters. According to human rights organisations, at least 45 people have been killed so far, including minors, and more than 2,200 others have been detained.
Iranian state media has blamed the violence on what it called terrorist agents linked to the United States and Israel, alleging that protesters set fire to public property, vehicles and infrastructure.
The protests have drawn sharp international reactions. President Donald Trump warned Iran against harming protesters and said the United States was ready to act if peaceful demonstrators were killed. Exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who has called for mass demonstrations, accused the Iranian government of deliberately silencing the population and appealed to the international community to help restore communication access.
