A senior Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, has escalated tensions by publicly demanding the execution of detained protesters and directly threatening US President Donald Trump and Israel. The remarks came during Friday prayers in Tehran and were broadcast on state radio.
Khatami described the demonstrators as “Trump’s soldiers” and “butlers” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of trying to “disintegrate the country.” He warned both leaders to “wait for hard revenge from the system.” The chants of the mosque crowd included calls for the death of what he called “armed hypocrites.”
The speech reflects the growing anger of Iran’s hard‑line leadership amid nationwide protests that began on December 28, 2025, over rising prices, unemployment, and economic instability. Security forces have responded with deadly crackdowns, and activists report thousands of deaths, although official figures remain unverified.
Who is Ahmad Khatami?
Ahmad Khatami is a senior hardline cleric closely aligned with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He holds influential positions in the Assembly of Experts and Guardian Council, giving him major sway over Iran’s political and religious system.
Khatami also leads Friday prayers in Tehran, a high-profile platform for expressing government positions. He has a long history of hardline statements and frequently frames domestic unrest as the result of foreign interference.
Iran Unrest Nationwide Unrest and Economic Anger
The protests initially focused on economic grievances but quickly expanded into a broader challenge against Iran’s theocratic system. Demonstrators in multiple cities openly criticised the clerical establishment. Authorities responded with force, shutting down the internet nationwide on January 8 and intensifying arrests.
Khatami’s speech provided the first official nationwide estimates of damages, claiming protesters destroyed 350 mosques, 126 prayer halls, 20 religious sites, and attacked 80 homes of Friday prayer leaders.
What the Cleric Said About Iranian Protesters
Khatami directly called for the death penalty for arrested protesters, framing them as foreign agents rather than citizens expressing grievances. He claimed the demonstrators attacked mosques, prayer halls, hospitals, and other public properties. His rhetoric signals a punitive approach, leaving little room for dialogue with protesters.
Beyond domestic threats, Khatami directly addressed Trump and Netanyahu, alleging they orchestrated the unrest. He said, “Americans and Zionists should not expect peace.”
This statement marks a sharp escalation in official rhetoric toward Washington and Jerusalem. Analysts warn that such threats could increase regional tensions and international scrutiny of Iran’s human rights record.
Global Implications of Iran Protest
Khatami’s comments highlight the hardline faction’s view that the protests are externally driven, not a reflection of domestic frustration. His execution demands and anti‑Western threats may further isolate Iran globally.
The cleric’s warning shows the regime is prioritising suppression and confrontation, signalling a volatile period both inside Iran and in its foreign relations.
