Recent anti-government protests have swept across Iran, initially fueled by a struggling economy and a dramatic drop in the national currency. But the turmoil quickly escalated, and now, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has pointed a direct finger at US President Donald Trump, calling him the “main culprit” behind the resulting violence and damage.
Khamenei, addressing a gathering in Tehran, asserted that Trump personally interfered, “issuing threats,” and actively supporting what he termed “seditionists.” He stated unequivocally that America’s ultimate ambition is to “swallow up Iran” and restore its influence, a strategy he claims the US has pursued relentlessly since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
These protests, which began late last month, turned violent after a call to action from the US-based son of a former Iranian monarch. Street clashes led to hundreds of reported casualties, particularly in western provinces, and significant damage. Police maintain that peaceful demonstrations were “hijacked by rioters” allegedly backed by US and Israeli intelligence, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in destruction, including attacks on banks, shops, and even 250 mosques, according to Khamenei.
Despite acknowledging that Iran’s economic situation is “truly under strain” and people’s livelihoods are suffering, Khamenei firmly declared that Iran will not allow “domestic and international criminals” to go unpunished. His accusations came shortly after President Trump indicated he had put plans to strike Iran on hold, citing claims that Iran had stopped executing protesters—a claim Iran’s judiciary has since denied, stating no protester has been sentenced to death.
This fiery exchange underscores the volatile relationship between the two nations, with each side casting blame amid a backdrop of significant internal challenges within Iran.
