Iran's Supreme Leader has openly condemned the anti-government protesters, describing them as agitators attempting to curry favor with the U.S. president amid protests now entering their 13th day and representing the largest such movement in years.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, Iran's Supreme Leader, delivered a stern televised statement condemning the anti-government protesters as troublemakers trying to please the U.S. president amid ongoing demonstrations that have lasted 13 days and evolved into the largest anti-government movement in years.
Khamenei stated, "The Islamic Republic was born from the blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs and will not yield to those who deny this truth." He reiterated before his supporters that Iran will not hesitate to deal with destructive elements.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) accusing the United States of being behind the escalation of protests into violent sabotage and widespread property destruction.
U.S. President Donald Trump responded by saying Iran is facing major problems and warned of heavy strikes targeting vulnerable points, while emphasizing that U.S. involvement does not mean deploying ground troops. He also noted the situation in Iran is changing rapidly.
Iran's ambassador to the United Nations accused the U.S. of interfering in Iran's internal affairs through intimidation, incitement, and deliberately creating instability.
Leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the Iranian security forces' use of violence and condemning the killing of protesters. They stressed that governments have the duty to protect the rights to peaceful expression and assembly.
Iran's security and judicial agencies issued warnings emphasizing a no-tolerance policy. The Iranian National Security Council declared it will take strict legal action against protesters, labeling them armed rioters.
The intelligence wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated it will not tolerate terrorism and will continue operations until the enemy's plans are completely defeated.
Protests have occurred in at least 67 areas nationwide, including a fire at a media office in Isfahan and scenes of vehicles overturned and burned in central Tehran.
The demonstrations began over economic grievances but escalated into calls to end the Islamic Republic, with some demanding the restoration of the monarchy after Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's last king, urged President Trump to prepare to intervene to help the Iranian people and encouraged ongoing protests.
Human rights groups report at least 48 protesters killed and 14 security personnel dead, while the government has ordered an almost nationwide internet shutdown, cutting off real-time information from the ground. Human rights organizations warn that the internet blackout increases the risk of mass killings as people rush to stockpile food, ATMs become unusable, and digital payments halt.
Source:BBC
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