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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is openly blaming Donald Trump as nationwide protests continue to expand and intensify. And Donald Trump is responding to the criticism.  This marks the most sustained challenge to the Islamic Republic in years. Now entering a third consecutive week, demonstrations have spread across the country as protesters maintain pressure despite heavy crackdowns.

There appear to be growing limits to the regime’s ability to restore control.

In his latest remarks, Khamenei accused Donald Trump of fueling unrest and urged the U.S. president to “focus on the problems in America,” an unusually defensive response that reflects how seriously Iran’s leadership views the ongoing upheaval and the protesters’ increasing influence.

Protests Against Khamenei Spread

Iran has been shaken by coordinated protests across all 31 provinces, with more than 340 reported incidents nationwide. While authorities acknowledge at least 200 deaths and over 2,000 arrests, the demonstrations have not slowed—underscoring the determination and organizational strength of the protest movement.

Now in their 20th straight day, protests have reached 100s of towns and cities, from Tehran to smaller regional centers. Protesters have taken control of streets, erected bonfires, and forced repeated confrontations with security forces, signaling an unprecedented level of sustained civil resistance.

In several cities, demonstrators targeted symbols of state power, attacking government buildings and tearing down statues, including those of Qasem Soleimani—once portrayed as untouchable icons of the regime. These acts have been widely interpreted as a clear rejection of the political and ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.

Observers have also reported signs of strain within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with reduced visible manpower in some areas, raising questions about morale and capacity as protests continue without interruption.

Khamenei’s Televised Address Targets Donald Trump

During a nationally televised address, Khamenei directly accused Donald Trump of attempting to destabilize Iran from abroad. Simultaneously, authorities imposed widespread internet shutdowns and cut international phone access—moves critics say reflect the government’s fear of the protesters’ ability to coordinate and broadcast their message globally.

Despite these efforts, videos and reports have continued to emerge, undermining state attempts to control the narrative.

Khamenei dismissed demonstrators as vandals, claiming they were “destroying their own streets to please the president of another country,” a statement that contrasted sharply with the scale and persistence of public participation.