Khamenei issues stern warning to protesters in Iran

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a stern warning to protesters, saying no leniency will be shown to foreign “mercenaries”. He accused demonstrators of trying to please United States President Donald Trump.

In a brief televised address on Friday, Khamenei said protesters were destroying their own streets to satisfy a foreign president.

Protests intensified from Thursday night in Tehran and other cities, while exiled self-proclaimed “crown prince” Reza Pahlavi again urged people to take to the streets.

To contain the unrest, the government shut down internet services and international telephone communications nationwide. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters setting fires and chanting anti-government slogans, with damaged debris visible on roads in several areas.

After remaining largely silent for days, Iran’s state media on Friday began reporting on the protests, claiming “terrorist agents” backed by the United States and Israel were responsible for arson and violence. While acknowledging casualties, no detailed figures were provided.

During Khamenei’s speech, supporters chanted slogans calling for the destruction of the United States. He signalled that harsh measures would be taken against protesters.

With internet and communications restricted, the full scale of the unrest remains unclear. Analysts say the protests represent one of the most serious challenges the Iranian government has faced in recent years. The movement began on December 28 in protest against economic hardship and rising living costs before spreading nationwide.

The unrest is also seen as a major test of public support for Reza Pahlavi, whose father Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was forced into exile before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Pro-monarchy slogans have been heard during the protests, despite a history of severe punishment for such expressions.

Norway-based human rights group Iran Human Rights said at least 45 people have been killed and more than 2,000 detained so far.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Donald Trump warned the United States could intervene if the Iranian government attacks protesters. On Thursday, he said Iran’s situation was “very bad” and warned of a strong response if killings begin. Trump also described Reza Pahlavi as a “good man”, though said a meeting with him would not be appropriate at this stage.