Iran’s Supreme Leader calls Trump “criminal,” blames US for domestic unrest

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered a scathing denunciation of US President Donald Trump, accusing him of fomenting unrest in Iran and seeking to subjugate the country, Iran International reports.

“We consider the US president a criminal for the casualties, damages, and the slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation,” Khamenei said, attributing responsibility for recent disturbances in the country directly to Washington.

Khamenei characterized the unrest as part of a broader American plot, asserting that “the recent unrest was an American plot, and the United States’ goal is to devour Iran.”

He further accused Trump of directly intervening, saying, “Trump himself intervened in this unrest, made statements, encouraged the rioters, and said we will provide military support.” Khamenei argued that the events were orchestrated to advance US ambitions of domination over Iran.

The Supreme Leader also criticized the US president for mischaracterizing Iranian citizens. “Trump portrayed ‘vandals’ as the Iranian nation,” Khamenei said, emphasizing that the actions of a few were being falsely attributed to the broader population.

Khamenei called for a firm response, declaring: “The Iranian nation, just as it broke the back of the riot, must also break the back of those who instigated it.” He added, “The Iranian nation will not let go of the domestic and international criminals behind this unrest.” 

By Vafa Guliyeva