Iran’s Khamenei calls Trump ‘criminal’ amid deadly protests across country

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lashed out at President Donald Trump on Saturday, calling him a “criminal” and accusing the United States of orchestrating unrest that has turned into the deadliest protests in decades.

“The last anti-Iran riot was different because the US President was personally involved,” Iranian media quoted Khamenei as saying, according to Reuters. he said.

The statement is the latest rhetoric from the Iranian government accusing the United States of contributing to instability in Iran; Tehran singles out Trump as the central figure in what it calls foreign-induced unrest. The regime also points fingers at Israel.

Protests have been intensifying in Iran since late December; The protests, which initially started due to economic problems, quickly turn into widespread anti-regime demonstrations. The demonstrators faced harsh intervention from the security forces.

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Human rights groups say thousands of protesters were killed in the incidents. Reports from various groups say Khamenei is responsible for the crackdown that led to the deaths of thousands of protesters. US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran put the death toll at 3,090 on Friday.

The number continues to rise, surpassing any other protests or unrest in Iran for decades and reminiscent of the chaos surrounding the 1979 revolution.

Meanwhile, Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi told Bret Baier on “Special Report” on Monday that at least 12,000 people have died.

Trump expressed support for Iranian protesters and talked about regime change; Some Republican lawmakers have publicly called on Trump to consider military action.

LINDSEY GRAHAM CALLS US TO USE ‘ANY MEASURE NECESSARY’ TO STOP PEOPLE BEHIND THE KILLING OF IRANS

Demonstrators burn a poster depicting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Holon, Israel. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The president said Tuesday that he was breaking off talks with the Iranian regime and that there would be no contact until the government stops killing protesters. He also called on the Iranian people to “take over” the country.

Asked whether Arab and Israeli officials had “convinced” him not to attack Iran, Trump told reporters on Friday that they had persuaded him, citing the canceled executions.

Trump expressed similar sentiments on social media on Friday.

“I have great respect for the fact that all executions planned to take place yesterday (more than 800) were canceled by the Iranian government. Thank you!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Friday.

It is unclear who Trump met with in Iran to confirm the status of the planned executions. What does the description reflect? white house press secretary Karoline Leavitt briefed reporters on Thursday about the canceled executions. He argued that all options are on the table regarding relations with Iran.

Iranians gather by blocking the street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 9, 2026. (MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

“What I will say regarding Iran is that the president and his team have communicated to the Iranian regime that there will be serious consequences if the killing continues,” Leavitt told reporters Thursday. he said. “And the President had a message yesterday that he revealed to all of you and to the world: killings and executions will stop. “And the President understands today that 800 executions that were planned and expected to take place yesterday have been stopped.”

It is unclear whether Trump was referring to the 800 executions that have already been canceled in his post or whether the 800 executions were canceled for two consecutive days.

Meanwhile, a sermon given by Ayatollah Ahmed Khatami on Iranian state radio prompted chants from those gathered for prayer, including: “Armed hypocrites must be executed!”

Khatami, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts and the Guardian Council who has long been known for his harsh views, described the protesters as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “servants” and “Trump’s soldiers.” Associated Press.

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He said Netanyahu and Trump should expect “harsh revenge from the system.”

“Americans and Zionists should not expect peace,” the cleric said.

Fox News Digital’s Benjamin Weinthal and Diana Stancy as well as Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.