Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Chamenei accuses US President Trump of organizing anti-government protests in Iran, labeling him a criminal.
Chamenei Accuses Trump of Iranian Protests
Ali Chamenei on Saturday, January 17, accused Donald Trump of anti-government protests in Iran – reported Reuters. “We consider the US president a criminal, taking into account the deaths, damage, and slanders he has inflicted on the Iranian nation,” said Chamenei. According to the Iranian leader, during protests there were fires, destruction of public property, and inciting chaos. In his opinion, the organization of demonstrations is answered by the USA and Israel, with their participation taken by “terrorists” who impersonate participants. “People associated with Israel and the USA caused huge destruction and killed several thousand people,” said Chamenei. The Iranian leader did not present any evidence for these claims.
Protests in Iran
Protests broke out on December 28 due to the country’s economic difficulties, but soon took on an anti-government character. Participants demand an end to the leadership of clergy in the Islamic Republic. Donald Trump on January 13 called on Iranian citizens to continue the demonstrations and announced that help was on the way, referring to repression against the population. The American human rights organization HRANA reported that at least 3,090 people died in the riots, including 2,885 protesters. Over 22,000 arrests were said to have been made. Journalists cannot independently verify this data. It is known that the authorities introduced internet access breaks.
USA Thanks for End of Executions
As reported by the American-Iranian union for democracy in Iran (National Union for Democracy in Iran), executions of detained persons are also taking place. Donald Trump on Thursday thanked for their cancellation. “I with great respect accept the fact that all planned executions by hanging, which were to take place yesterday (over 800), have been canceled by the Iranian authorities. Thank you!” wrote the US president. The day before, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Fox News that there are no plans to hang or execute protesters. Chamenei also spoke on this matter, saying, “We will not drag the country into war, but we will not allow domestic and international criminals to go unpunished.”
