Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has declared that his country views United States President Donald Trump as a criminal responsible for causing deaths, destruction, and defamation against Iranians amid recent widespread demonstrations.
According to a report by The Times of Israel on January 17, 2026, Khamenei stated directly: “Iran regards the U.S. President as a criminal because he has caused casualties, damage, and slander to our people during these protests.”
This accusation comes against a backdrop of intense unrest in Iran, where protests have erupted across numerous cities, leading to a reported death toll exceeding 3,000 according to human rights groups.
The demonstrations, which began in response to economic hardships, government policies, and regional tensions, have seen security forces engage in a severe crackdown, including the use of live ammunition and mass arrests.
Activists claim over 2,500 protesters have been killed, with thousands more detained, marking one of the deadliest periods of internal strife in recent Iranian history.
He suggested that Trump’s public statements and actions have fueled the chaos, including threats of military intervention if Iran escalates its response to demonstrators.
In contrast, Trump has expressed support for the Iranian people, praising the regime for halting planned executions of detainees and warning that killing peaceful protesters would cross a ‘red line’ for potential U.S. action.
The Supreme Leader’s remarks reflect heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, exacerbated by Trump’s ‘America First’ policies and his administration’s stance on Tehran’s regional influence.
Khamenei urged Iranians to maintain unity, framing the protests as foreign-instigated vandalism aimed at pleasing external powers like the U.S.
He warned that Iran would not tolerate agents acting on behalf of foreigners, vowing resilience against attempts to undermine the Islamic Republic.
If you love political news or like to get more news happening around the globe, use the button below to get more verified news happening around Nigeria and the world today.
Leave a Reply