Iran’s Khamenei brands recent unrest as coup

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the recent unrest in the country, during which instigators attacked law enforcement, government institutions, and mosques, as more similar to an attempted coup.

He said the attack was crushed after targeting key state institutions, including police, government offices, Revolutionary Guard centres, banks, mosques, and even the Quran, Caliber.Az reports per Iranian media.

“The recent rebellion was like a coup. Of course, the coup was suppressed. Their goal was to destroy key centres of governance in the country, which is why they attacked police, government offices, Revolutionary Guard centres, banks, and mosques, and even set fire to the Quran,” the Iranian leader stressed.

Mass protests erupted across Iran in late December 2025, fueled by worsening economic conditions such as soaring inflation, a sharp drop in the value of the Iranian rial, and rising prices for food and essential goods. The unrest began with shop closures and strikes in Tehran’s commercial districts before rapidly spreading to cities nationwide.

Although economic hardships triggered the demonstrations, they soon took on a political character, with some protesters chanting anti-regime slogans and demanding major changes in governance.

Authorities responded with a harsh crackdown, deploying security forces, carrying out mass arrests, and restricting communications. Human rights groups reported lethal force used by police and the Revolutionary Guard in several cities.

These protests have become the deadliest in Iran since the 1979 revolution, resulting in thousands of deaths, widespread arrests, and growing international concern over human rights abuses.

By Jeyhun Aghazada