Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is openly blaming Donald Trump for the most serious wave of unrest the Islamic Republic has faced in years, even as protests continue to rage across the country and IRGC security forces struggle to contain mounting public anger.

In his latest remarks, Khamenei accused Donald Trump of fueling demonstrations while urging the U.S. president to “focus on the problems in America,” a statement that underscores how deeply the Iranian leadership views the crisis threatening its grip on power.

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Protests Against Khamenei Turn Deadly Across Iran

Iran has been rocked by nationwide protests spanning all 31 provinces, with violent confrontations reported in approximately 340 separate incidents. According to multiple reports, at least 200 people have been killed. More than 2,000 individuals have been detained by Iranian authorities.

Demonstrations have now entered their 14th consecutive day, spilling into more than 100 towns and cities. Streets in major urban centers have been left littered with burned vehicles, debris, and bonfires as crowds chant slogans denouncing the regime.

In several areas, furious civilians attacked government buildings and toppled statues, including images of once-revered military commander Qasem Soleimani, a figure long promoted as a national hero by the state.

Mosques, Universities and IRGC Targeted 

Reports indicate that mosques in Tehran’s Gholhak and Sa’adat Abad neighborhoods were set on fire, signaling a dramatic break from traditional protest norms in the deeply religious nation.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students have taken part in demonstrations at at least four universities, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency. Particularly alarming are claims that members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), operating in plain clothes, trapped and attacked students inside one university campus. 

Observers noted that the Guards appeared to be operating with reduced manpower, raising questions about internal strain within the security apparatus.

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Khamenei’s Televised Address Blames Donald Trump

During a televised address broadcast on Iranian state TV and reported by The Hindu, Khamenei accused Donald Trump of attempting to destabilize Iran from abroad. At the same time, authorities shut down internet access and international phone connections, effectively isolating the population from the outside world.

The Spectator Index corroborated the remarks, quoting the Supreme Leader as saying Iran “will not back down” and that Trump should focus on running his own country rather than interfering in Iranian affairs.

Khamenei dismissed the protesters as vandals, claiming they were “destroying their own streets to make the President of another country happy.”

Videos Show Fires, Chants, and Defiance

Despite fears of reprisals, new videos surfaced online on January 8, appearing to show demonstrators flooding streets in Tehran and other cities. Footage shared on social media showed fires lighting up the capital, with claims that vehicles belonging to Iranian security forces had been torched.

According to reporting from the BBC, protesters could be heard chanting, “Dishonourable” and “Don’t be afraid, we are all together,” following clashes with security forces.

The unrest has not been confined to Tehran. In the northern city of Babol, crowds gathered at Bagh Ferdows Square, openly voicing opposition to the government.

Economic Pressure and Exiled Calls for Action

The protests were initially triggered by soaring inflation and fuel prices, which have placed enormous strain on Iran’s already fragile economy. The situation escalated further after exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called for mass demonstrations, urging Iranians to challenge the ruling establishment.

Iranian state media, however, has blamed “terrorist agents” linked to the United States and Israel for instigating violence. State television claimed that “people’s private cars, motorcycles, public places such as the metro, fire trucks and buses” were deliberately set ablaze.

Khamenei and Donald Trump Public Argument

As Khamenei and Donald Trump trade rhetorical blows, the scale and persistence of the protests suggest a deeper crisis within Iran. With mounting casualties, mass arrests, internet blackouts, and visible public defiance, the demonstrations pose one of the most serious challenges to the Supreme Leader’s authority in years.