Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called anti-government protesters troublemakers and a bunch of vandals just trying to please the president of the US.
He accused crowds of destroying buildings because Donald Trump said he supports you. Trump has warned Iran that if it kills protesters, the US would hit the country very hard.
The protests, which have entered their 13th day, were sparked by grievances over the economy but have escalated into calls for the end of the Islamic Republic.
According to human rights groups, at least 48 protesters and 14 security personnel have been killed, while thousands have been arrested.
In a televised address, Khamenei reiterated the determination of the Islamic Republic, emphasizing its roots in the blood of those who fought for its establishment. As the situation worsens, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps expressed a zero-tolerance policy towards ongoing dissent.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last monarch, called on Trump to consider intervening in support of the protesters, illustrating the international dimension of the current unrest.
Protests have erupted nationwide, with demonstrators chanting against the regime, and evidence suggests a significant crackdown could occur, particularly given the government's internet shutdown, hindering communication and information flow within the country.
Despite the escalating violence and rising death toll, public anger appears to be growing, with citizens increasingly frustrated by economic hardship and political repression.
