Khamenei vows crackdown on unrest, accuses US of backing vandalism and interference

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned that the state will respond firmly to what he described as vandalism and foreign-backed unrest, saying Tehran will not retreat in the face of those acting to win favour with the US president.

Speaking on Friday amid several days of protests and disturbances in some Iranian cities, Khamenei said damage to public property had been carried out by “a small group of vandals” seeking to please Washington. He accused foreign actors of encouraging the unrest through what he described as baseless promises of support.

Without naming him initially, Khamenei later directly criticised US President Donald Trump, rejecting his repeated claims of standing with the Iranian people. He said Trump should focus instead on crises and unrest within the United States itself.

Khamenei also accused Trump of bearing responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of Iranians during the 12-day US-Israeli military confrontation with Iran in June 2025. Referring to Trump’s public statements at the time, the Iranian leader said the US president had openly admitted to ordering attacks, calling it a confession that his “hands are stained with the blood of Iranians”.

He dismissed Washington’s expressions of solidarity with Iranian protesters as meaningless, accusing some individuals inside Iran of naivety for responding to foreign cues. Acts such as burning rubbish bins, he said, were being carried out in the belief that they would please foreign leaders.

Reiterating what he described as the Islamic Republic’s red lines, Khamenei said a state founded on the sacrifice of “hundreds of thousands” would not tolerate destruction or allegiance to foreign powers. He warned that those working for external actors would be rejected by both the state and the public.

Drawing historical parallels, Khamenei compared Trump to past rulers he described as tyrants, including Pharaoh and Nimrod, as well as Iran’s pre-revolution leaders, saying all were eventually overthrown despite their power and arrogance.

Iranian officials have said peaceful protests linked to economic grievances remain legitimate and will be addressed, but violence, sabotage and attacks on public property will not be tolerated. Authorities say unrest has been exploited by organised groups and foreign-linked operatives, with several security personnel reportedly killed in recent clashes.

Officials blame economic pressures — including rising prices and the sharp depreciation of the rial — on US sanctions targeting Iran’s banking system and oil exports. Security and judicial bodies have also announced arrests of individuals accused of links to foreign intelligence agencies and armed groups.

Iranian leaders have accused American and Israeli officials of encouraging violence, citing warnings from Trump and remarks by former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggesting foreign intelligence involvement in the unrest.

Khamenei ended his address by calling for national unity, particularly among young people, urging them to maintain political awareness and readiness. On Friday, large crowds gathered in several cities to denounce the riots and express support for the state.

In a separate portion of his remarks, Khamenei accused the United States of seeking control over other nations’ resources, pointing to Latin America as an example — an apparent reference to recent US actions against Venezuela and the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro. He said US hostility toward Iran stems from the Islamic Republic’s removal of Iranian wealth and resources from foreign control following the 1979 revolution.