Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has delivered a strong warning to protesters and the United States, declaring that Iran will not bow to pressure as unrest continues across the country despite a nationwide internet shutdown.
In a brief but firm address broadcast on state television, the 86-year-old leader accused demonstrators of acting at the behest of foreign powers, directly targeting U.S. President Donald Trump. His remarks came as crowds reportedly stayed on the streets of Tehran and other cities into Friday morning, defying restrictions and heavy security deployment.
Protesters, Khamenei said, are “ruining their own streets to make the president of another country happy,” referring to Trump, as chants of “Death to America!” echoed from the audience present at the televised event.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described Donald Trump as “arrogant” and accused the US President of having “hands stained with the blood” of Iranians, according to AFP. He also asserted that Trump would be “overthrown” and urged him to address issues within the United States instead of targeting Iran.
Iran’s Leadership Responds to Growing Street Protests
The protests mark a serious test for Iran’s ruling establishment, which has faced repeated waves of unrest in recent years but rarely on this scale. Authorities responded by cutting off internet access and international phone calls, a move widely seen as an attempt to limit coordination among protesters and block images from reaching the outside world.
🇮🇷:Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei;
Everyone should know: the Islamic Republic has come to power through the blood of hundreds of thousands of noble human beings.
The Islamic Republic will not back down in the face of those who are destroyers. https://t.co/dWZKathY57 pic.twitter.com/TIN0jD7cIE
— 𝐀𝐋𝐏𝐇𝐀 ® (@Alpha7021) January 9, 2026
Despite the blackout, short videos circulated online showing crowds chanting anti-government slogans around fires in several neighborhoods. State media later alleged that “terrorist agents” linked to the U.S. and Israel were behind acts of arson and violence, claiming there were “casualties” without providing details.
Khamenei Hits Back at Trump Over Alleged Foreign Interference
Khamenei’s remarks directly addressed Washington’s role, accusing external forces of exploiting Iran’s internal difficulties. His speech signaled that authorities would not tolerate what they describe as foreign-backed unrest.
The Supreme Leader’s comments reinforced the government’s long-held position that economic frustration alone does not explain the demonstrations, and that outside actors are actively encouraging instability.
Role of Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi Gains Attention
The protests have also revived debate over Iran’s pre-revolutionary past. Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of the last shah who fled Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, called on Iranians to take to the streets at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
Demonstrators in several cities reportedly chanted slogans supporting the former monarchy—something that once carried severe punishment. Analysts say this reflects the depth of public anger as economic grievances evolve into open political dissent.
Deaths, Detentions, and Fears of a Wider Crackdown
Human rights activists say violence linked to the unrest has already killed at least 42 people, with more than 2,270 detained. With the internet largely shut down, the true scale of arrests and casualties remains unclear.
“This is exactly why the internet was shut down: to prevent the world from seeing the protests. Unfortunately, it also likely provided cover for security forces to kill protesters.”
Khamenei’s message made clear that Iran’s leadership sees the demonstrations as a direct challenge to the Islamic Republic—and one it intends to confront head-on.
