Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated dramatically, with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, directly accusing former US President Donald Trump of being a ‘criminal’ for his vocal support of recent anti-government protests. This strong condemnation comes amidst fresh revelations about the brutal crackdown that followed widespread demonstrations across Iran in December.
In a significant and rare admission broadcast by state television on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself acknowledged the death toll from the December protests. This marks the first indication from an Iranian leader of the true extent of casualties in the wake of the bloody crackdown by security forces. While precise figures remain disputed, human rights organizations have reported hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths, with many more arrested.
The protests, initially sparked by a sudden hike in fuel prices, quickly broadened into a wider expression of public anger over economic hardship, corruption, and government policies. As demonstrations spread across numerous cities, the Iranian authorities responded with overwhelming force, shutting down internet access and deploying security forces to quell the unrest.
Donald Trump, during his presidency, was a vocal critic of the Iranian regime and frequently expressed solidarity with Iranian protesters, often through social media. Tehran views such support as an overt act of interference in its internal affairs, framing it as an encouragement for what it considers seditious activities orchestrated by foreign adversaries. The labeling of Trump as a ‘criminal’ underscores the deep animosity and the perception within the Iranian leadership that foreign elements are actively trying to destabilize the country.
This latest development highlights the perilous state of US-Iran relations and the ongoing internal struggles within Iran. The acknowledgment of casualties by Khamenei, even without specific numbers, signifies the severity of the events and the immense pressure the regime faced to suppress the uprising, further cementing the tragic human cost of the December protests.
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