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.
