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, in their 13th day, erupted over the economy and have grown into the largest in years - leading to calls for an end to the Islamic Republic and some urging the restoration of the monarchy. At least 48 protesters and 14 security personnel have been killed, according to human rights groups. An internet blackout is in place.
Khamenei remained defiant in a televised address on Friday. 'Let everyone know that the Islamic Republic came to power through the blood of several hundred thousand honourable people and it will not back down in the face of those who deny this,' the 86-year-old said. Since protests began on 28 December, in addition to the 48 protesters killed, more than 2,277 individuals have also been arrested, the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) said. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) said at least 51 protesters, including nine children, had been killed.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement on Friday saying it would not tolerate the continuation of the current situation in the country. Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah who was overthrown by the 1979 Islamic revolution, called on Trump on Friday to 'be prepared to intervene to help the people of Iran'.
Protests have taken place across the country, with verified videos from 67 locations, showing demonstrators chanting ‘death to the dictator’ as tensions escalate. The country has faced a near-total internet blackout since Thursday evening with reports of aggressive government tactics against protesters. The situation remains dire as citizens struggle for information amidst the chaos.
The protests, in their 13th day, erupted over the economy and have grown into the largest in years - leading to calls for an end to the Islamic Republic and some urging the restoration of the monarchy. At least 48 protesters and 14 security personnel have been killed, according to human rights groups. An internet blackout is in place.
Khamenei remained defiant in a televised address on Friday. 'Let everyone know that the Islamic Republic came to power through the blood of several hundred thousand honourable people and it will not back down in the face of those who deny this,' the 86-year-old said. Since protests began on 28 December, in addition to the 48 protesters killed, more than 2,277 individuals have also been arrested, the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) said. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) said at least 51 protesters, including nine children, had been killed.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement on Friday saying it would not tolerate the continuation of the current situation in the country. Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah who was overthrown by the 1979 Islamic revolution, called on Trump on Friday to 'be prepared to intervene to help the people of Iran'.
Protests have taken place across the country, with verified videos from 67 locations, showing demonstrators chanting ‘death to the dictator’ as tensions escalate. The country has faced a near-total internet blackout since Thursday evening with reports of aggressive government tactics against protesters. The situation remains dire as citizens struggle for information amidst the chaos.
