Iranian cleric calls for death penalty for detained protesters in Iran

An Iranian cleric has called for the death penalty for protesters detained during a nationwide crackdown amid ongoing unrest against the Islamic regime.

The cleric’s calls came after President Donald Trump threatened that the United States would intervene if protesters were subjected to violence.

Ayatollah Ahmed Khatami’s sermon, broadcast on Iranian state radio, reportedly sparked chants from those gathered for prayer. Associated Press, “Armed hypocrites should be executed!” He reported that slogans were shouted.

In his sermon, Khatami gave the first overall statistics on the damage caused by the protests that began in late December, according to the AP. This information provides a glimpse into the scale of the protests after the regime initiated a nationwide internet blackout on January 8.

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According to AP, the cleric claimed that 350 mosques, 126 places of worship and 20 other holy places were damaged. Khatami also claimed that 400 hospitals, 106 ambulances, 71 fire trucks and 50 emergency service vehicles were damaged.

Another 80 houses of Friday prayer imams were reportedly damaged, the AP reported, adding that this could be a sign of demonstrators venting their anger against the government, as the leaders hold an important position within the Iranian theocracy.

“They want you to withdraw from religion,” Khatami said, according to the AP. “They planned these crimes well in advance.”

In this frame from video obtained by the AP, a masked protester holds a photo of Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)

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Khatami, who was appointed by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and serves in the country’s Assembly of Experts and Guardian Council, had previously expressed his opinion against the protesters. He described them as “henchmen” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “soldiers of Trump.”

Khamenei made similar statements, saying that the protesters “destroyed their own streets to make the president of another country happy,” referring to Trump.

Iranians participate in an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)

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Trump has been vocal in his support for the Iranian people and has previously said the United States is “locked and ready” and ready to intervene if the regime uses violence against protesters. It is unclear if and when the United States will take concrete action in Iran, but speculation has circulated following the bombing of the country’s nuclear facilities in 2025 and the U.S. capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and State Department for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.