Iran’s Khamenei lashes out at protesters as nationwide anti-regime unrest grows

The ruling Ayatollah of nan Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei, connected Saturday issued an angry consequence to nan unfolding nationwide demonstrations against his regime’s governmental and economical corruption.

The 86-year-old Khamenei declared successful his first nationalist reside since nan strikes and societal unrest rocked his vulnerable authorities 7 days agone that, "A number of agitated people, force mercenaries, had positioned themselves down festivals merchants and chanted slogans against Islam, against Iran and against nan Islamic Republic."

He added, "Protest is legitimate, but protestation is different from rioting," but warned that "officials should speak pinch protesters. Speaking pinch a rioter is pointless. Rioters must beryllium put successful their place."

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Khamenei’s branding of nan pro-democracy activists arsenic "rioters" follows President Trump’s unprecedented message of solidarity to nan demonstrators connected Friday. "If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills serene protesters, which is their custom, nan United States of America will travel to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and fresh to go," wrote Trump connected nan Truth Social media platform.

According to accusation supplied to Fox News Digital from nan National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an statement that seeks to topple Khamenei’s regime, Khamenei’s information forces again opened occurrence connected protesters.

In Malekshahi, Ilam province, young group demonstrated. The regime’s forces shot peaceful activists, resulting successful deaths and injuries.

In this photograph released connected Thursday, June 26, 2025, by nan charismatic website of nan agency of nan Iranian ultimate leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks successful a televised speech, nether a image of nan precocious revolutionary laminitis Ayatollah Khomeini. (Office of nan Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

As of Saturday, nan authorities has killed astatine slightest 10 people. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said demonstrations unfolded successful much than 100 locations successful 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces. The NCRI said 30 protesters successful Malekshahi were changeable and were successful captious condition.

The dissident group besides said that connected Saturday nan group of Kazerun demonstrated successful nan city's Shohada Square, wherever information fired unrecorded ammunition astatine nan protesters. Young anti-regime demonstrators successful nan Golshan territory of Shiraz blocked nan roadworthy by mounting tires connected fire.

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A protester faces Iranian information forces during clashes amid nationwide unrest, according to images released by nan Iranian guidance group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) (NCRI )

Students astatine Shahrood University of Technology chanted, "Students will dice but not judge humiliation,'" and students astatine Allameh University's Hemmat dormitory successful Tehran, declared "Death to nan dictator."

NCRI leader Maryam Rajav’s consequence to Khamenei connected Saturday noted that "Khamenei is right; 80 cardinal Iranians are his enemy. They person only 1 connection for him: battalion up his norm and region his scourge from nan Iranian people. Better still if he comes to his senses and leaves of his ain accord." She added "Khamenei must cognize that threats, bluster, and repression cannot extremity nan uprising. A federation who has taken to nan streets will not guidelines down until populist and celebrated sovereignty are achieved."

Reza Pahlavi, nan son of Iran’s past Shah, wrote connected X that "Ali Khamenei, fearing nan increasing waves of this nationalist uprising, has emerged from his hiding spot to frighten nan group of Iran. Khamenei: We, nan group of Iran, will propulsion you down from your teetering perch for illustration Zahhak nan despot and will free our beloved Iran from you and your regime."

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He added, "To nan subject and rule enforcement forces: do not necktie your destiny to nan sinking vessel of nan Islamic Republic. Join nan group and abstracted yourselves from this corrupt system. Your weapons are for defending nan nation, not suppressing it. Those who occurrence bullets astatine nan group should beryllium definite that they will beryllium identified and punished. Fellow countrymen: do not wantonness nan streets; summation your presence. The world sees your guidance and bravery and supports you."