Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – Supreme Leader of Iran Urges Harsh Crackdown on Protesters, Blames Trump for Iran Unrest

VoM News Desk | January 17, 2026 | 07:35 PM IST | Breaking News, Politics, World | Follow on Google News

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – Supreme Leader of Iran Urges Harsh Crackdown on Protesters, Blames Trump for Iran Unrest

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday issued a forceful warning to protesters, calling on authorities to “break the back of the seditionists” as he blamed the United States and President Donald Trump for the violence and casualties linked to weeks of unrest across the country.

Speaking to supporters during an address marking a religious holiday, Khamenei said the Islamic Republic had no intention of going to war but would show no leniency toward what he described as internal and external enemies.

“We do not intend to lead the country to war, but we will not spare domestic criminals,” he said, adding that “international criminals” would also face punishment.

Iran has been gripped by widespread demonstrations triggered by deepening economic hardship, inflation, and frustration with clerical rule. The protests, which erupted despite a heavy security presence, have grown into the largest challenge to the Islamic Republic in more than three years. Human rights groups say the crackdown has been severe, alleging that thousands were killed during weeks of unrest under a near-total internet blackout.

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Iranian authorities have repeatedly dismissed the demonstrations as “riots” and “terrorist acts,” accusing Washington of orchestrating the unrest. Khamenei echoed that narrative, directly targeting Trump, who had earlier warned Tehran of consequences if protesters were harmed.

“He is guilty for the casualties, damages and accusations he has levelled against the Iranian nation,” Khamenei said, accusing the US president of fomenting chaos inside Iran.

Calling the unrest an “American conspiracy,” Khamenei claimed Washington’s ultimate objective was to subjugate Iran once again. “America’s goal is to swallow Iran,” he said. “The goal is to put Iran back under military, political and economic domination.”

The comments signal Tehran’s determination to maintain a hard-line response as tensions simmer both at home and abroad, even as protests continue to flare in parts of the country.

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