Iran’s Supreme Leader Calls for Tough Action Against ‘Seditionists’ After Protests

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday urged authorities to intensify their crackdown on what he described as “seditionists,” blaming former US President Donald Trump for “casualties” following a deadly suppression of protests against the country’s clerical leadership.

Iran was shaken by weeks of demonstrations driven by anger over economic hardship, which grew into the largest protests against the Islamic Republic in more than three years. The unrest has since subsided after a crackdown that rights groups say left thousands dead during an internet blackout that lasted for more than a week.

Authorities say the demonstrations — which they label “riots” — are now under control. State-aligned media have reported thousands of arrests, while officials have promised swift punishment for those detained.

“By God’s grace, the Iranian nation must break the back of the seditionists just as it broke the back of the sedition,” Khamenei told supporters in a televised address marking a religious holiday commemorating the Prophet Mohammed’s ascension to heaven.

“We do not intend to lead the country to war, but we will not spare domestic criminals,” he added, warning that “international criminals” were “worse” and would also face punishment.

Iranian authorities have accused the United States of fuelling what they describe as a “terrorist operation” that hijacked peaceful protests over economic conditions. Trump, who supported and joined Israel’s 12-day war against Iran in June, had repeatedly threatened new military action if protesters were killed.

‘American conspiracy’

Khamenei directly criticised Trump on Saturday, accusing him of being “guilty for the casualties, damages and accusations he has levelled against the Iranian nation.”

“This was an American conspiracy,” he said, adding that “America’s goal is to swallow Iran… the goal is to put Iran back under military, political and economic domination”.

Although Washington appears to have stepped back, Trump has said he has not ruled out military options and has stated he is closely monitoring reports of protesters being executed.

Concerns continue to mount over the death toll from the crackdown, with verification made difficult by severe internet restrictions. Internet monitor Netblocks said connectivity in Iran had risen only “very” slightly more than 200 hours into the nationwide shutdown.

Rights groups say the blackout was intended to conceal the scale of the violence. Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) says it has verified the deaths of 3,428 protesters at the hands of security forces, but warns the true figure could be several times higher.

Other estimates put the death toll at more than 5,000 and possibly as high as 20,000, according to IHR. Meanwhile, opposition broadcaster Iran International, which operates from outside the country, has reported that at least 12,000 people were killed during the protests, citing senior government and security sources.

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