Amid raging protests across Iran over its prolonged economic crisis, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday issued a warning to US President Donald Trump that he would be brought down.
In his address to the nation, Khamenei alleged that the protests, which have claimed over 40 lives, were being sponsored by foreign-backed forces that are trying to destabilise Iran.
“Some rioters are trying to please Trump [but he] should know that world tyrants such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza were brought down at the peak of their arrogance. He too will be brought down,” Khamenei said in remarks aired on state television.
He said the Islamic Republic would not retreat in the face of unrest. “Everyone should know that the Islamic Republic came to power with the blood of hundreds of thousands of honourable people, and it will not back down in the face of saboteurs,” he said. Reacting to Khamenei’s remarks, the crowd cheered, “Death to America!”
‘Trump’s hands stained with blood of 1,000 Iranians’
He also said ‘the hands of the US president are stained with the blood of more than 1,000 Iranians.’ His remarks referred to June attacks by the US on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Khamenei urged supporters to remain united. “Dear young people, keep your readiness and your unity. A united nation will overcome any enemy,” he said.
What’s happening in Iran?
Large-scale protests began late December after shopkeepers at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar shut down their businesses due to the dwindling fate of Iran’s national currency.
With soaring inflation at around 40%, sanctions, depleting value of the rial and rampant economic mismanagement, Iran has been pushed into deeper crises, resulting in mounting public anger.
In December, the rial fell to 1.4 million to one US dollar. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the exchange rate was around 70 rials to the dollar. Even during the 2015 nuclear deal, one dollar traded at about 32,000 rials.
In the latest development, mobile and landline internet services have been shut down across the nation.
Where is Khamenei?
According to several reports, Khamenei was mulling to flee to Russia with about 20 of his family members and close associates. Speculations also intensified as Trump has made repeated assertions claiming that the US may have to intervene if the violence and killings of citizens don’t stop.
In his latest interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that Khamenei “is looking to go some place as it’s getting bad”. Despite his recent televised address there is no official confirmation on Khamenei’s current whereabouts.