Donald Trump has warned Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the US will “start shooting” if Iranian demonstrators are targeted by government forces, as nationwide protests demanding regime change entered their 13th day. The US president and Iran’s supreme leader traded threats amid clashes between police and protesters across the country on Friday, with internet and phone lines shut down.
At least 62 protesters and several police officers have been killed since the protests began on 28 December, according to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), with 2,200 arrests so far. Demonstrations have taken place in more than 100 cities and towns, with protesters shouting anti-regime slogans and setting cars and motorbikes on fire.
Mr Trump said Iran was on the “verge of collapse” and that Khamenei was “looking to go someplace” to escape. He warned: “I have put Iran on notice that if they start shooting at them… we’re going to hit them very hard.” He later added: “They better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, alongside the leaders of France and Germany, urged Tehran to “exercise restraint” and condemned the killing of protesters. In a joint statement, they said: “The Iranian authorities have the responsibility to protect their own population and must allow for the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
Ayatollah Khamenei blamed Mr Trump for the demonstrations, calling protesters “saboteurs” and “terrorist agents” working for the US and Israel. He said the Islamic Republic “will not tolerate mercenaries working for foreign powers” and insisted the country would not back down.
The protests began after Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late Shah, urged Iranians to take to the streets. Economic hardship, including 40% inflation and a collapsing rial, has fuelled the unrest. United Nations rights chief Volker Turk said he was “deeply disturbed by reports of violence” and the communications blackout.
