Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed that authorities will not back down in the face of growing protests, calling demonstrators 'vandals' and 'saboteurs' and blaming the US for instigating the unrest. The comments came as new protests erupted on Friday, with people banging pots and chanting anti-government slogans including 'death to Khamenei' in Tehran's Sadatabad district, according to a video verified by AFP.
The protests, which began on 28 December after a sudden depreciation of the currency, have quickly evolved into demands for political reform and an end to the regime's rule. The movement is the largest in Iran since the 2022-2023 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. Authorities have imposed a nationwide internet blackout that has been in place for 36 hours, according to monitor Netblocks, in an effort to limit the flow of information.
At least 51 protesters, including nine children, have been killed by security forces, according to Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, while more than 2,270 others have been detained. The head of Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, warned that consequences for demonstrators would be 'decisive, maximum and without any legal leniency'.
The leaders of France, Germany and the UK released a joint statement urging Iran to exercise restraint and uphold fundamental rights. US President Donald Trump has also weighed in, warning Iran's leaders not to shoot protesters, saying 'we'll start shooting too'. The protests are seen as a significant threat to the regime, which has been weakened by economic woes and the aftermath of last year's conflict with Israel and the US.
