Recent protests in Iran, initially fueled by economic hardship, have evolved into a direct challenge to the Islamic RepublicS authority, prompting a harsh response from the government and escalating tensions with the United States[[1]]. In a public address, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly blamed the US for instigating the unrest, while also vowing a firm crackdown on dissenters[[2]]. This comes as the US has already imposed sanctions on key iranian officials over the government’s handling of the demonstrations[[1]].
“We do not intend to lead the country to war, but we will not spare the internal criminals. And worse than the internal criminals, the international criminals, we will not spare them either,” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared.
The remarks, delivered during a religious holiday address to supporters, come as protests continue to grip the nation and amid heightened tensions with the United States. Khamenei accused the U.S. president of being “responsible for the victims, the damages, and the accusations he has leveled against the Iranian nation.”
“This was an American conspiracy,” he added, asserting that “the goal of the United States is to swallow Iran” and place the country “once again under military, political, and economic domination.” The development underscores the deep-seated distrust between Tehran and Washington.
Khamenei also stated that authorities “must break the backs of the seditionists.” This strong language signals a firm stance against ongoing dissent and a potential escalation of the government’s response to the protests.
The demonstrations began December 28, initially sparked by economic grievances as merchants in Tehran closed their businesses in response to the falling value of the Iranian rial. They quickly broadened into nationwide protests featuring slogans such as “Death to the Islamic Republic” and “Death to Khamenei.”
Iranian officials have not released an official death toll for the unrest that has unfolded across the country in recent weeks, attributing the violence to mercenaries backed by Israel and the United States. However, opposition groups in exile, such as Iran Human Rights, estimate the number of fatalities to be as high as 3,428.
Speaking for the first time about the reported deaths, Khamenei acknowledged that “thousands” had been killed, describing some of the deaths as “savage and inhumane.” The acknowledgement, while lacking specific numbers, represents a significant shift in the government’s public messaging regarding the scale of the violence.
c/ agencies
