The streets of Iran have been ablaze with protests, and fingers are pointing across borders. But here's where it gets controversial: Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has directly accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of fueling the deadly unrest that has gripped the nation. This accusation comes amidst reports from human rights organizations claiming that a brutal crackdown by Iranian security forces has resulted in thousands of fatalities.
The protests ignited on December 28, initially sparked by economic hardships but quickly escalating into a nationwide outcry demanding an end to clerical rule in the Islamic Republic. Trump, never one to shy away from interventionist rhetoric, repeatedly threatened to take "very strong action" if Iran executed protesters. However, in a surprising twist, he later thanked Iranian leaders for allegedly calling off mass hangings, a claim Iran denied, stating there was "no plan to hang people."
In a response seemingly directed at Trump, Khamenei declared, "We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished." This statement, reported by state media, underscores the tense standoff between the two nations.
And this is the part most people miss: Iran's clerical establishment has shifted the blame for the violence onto what they describe as armed rioters masquerading as peaceful protesters. They label these individuals as "terrorists" and assert that Israel and the U.S. are the masterminds behind the unrest, responsible for both organizing the protests and the resulting deaths of demonstrators and security personnel.
Khamenei went further, stating, "We consider the U.S. president criminal for the casualties, damages, and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation." He accused those linked to Israel and the U.S. of causing "massive damage" and killing "several thousand" people, alleging they started fires, destroyed public property, and incited chaos. "They committed crimes and a grave slander," he added.
Verifying the exact number of casualties and the extent of the disturbances has been challenging due to internet blackouts, which were partially lifted on Saturday. The U.S.-based HRANA rights group claims to have verified 3,090 deaths, including 2,885 protesters, and over 22,000 arrests. On Saturday, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that internet service had been restored for some users, and the ISNA news website confirmed the reactivation of SMS services.
NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, noted a slight increase in internet connectivity in Iran after 200 hours of shutdown, though it remained at a mere 2% of normal levels. A resident of Karaj, a city west of Tehran that witnessed some of the most severe violence, reported via WhatsApp that the internet returned at 4 a.m. local time on Saturday. They described Thursday as the peak of the unrest in Karaj.
Iranian media aligned with the government have reported the arrest of several alleged ringleaders, including a woman named Nazanin Baradaran, who was detained following "complex intelligence operations." Baradaran, reportedly operating under the pseudonym Raha Parham on behalf of Reza Pahlavi—the exiled son of Iran's last shah—is accused of playing a key role in organizing the unrest. Reuters has been unable to independently verify these claims or her identity.
Pahlavi, a long-standing opposition figure, has positioned himself as a potential leader in the event of regime collapse. He has stated his intention to re-establish diplomatic ties between Iran and Israel if he were to assume power. Israeli officials have openly expressed support for Pahlavi, and in a rare public statement, Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu revealed that Israel has operatives "on the ground" in Iran. While he denied any direct efforts to overthrow the regime, he acknowledged their goal of weakening Iran's capabilities.
In the northeastern city of Mashhad, 22 alleged ringleaders have been arrested, along with over 10 individuals suspected of killings and 50 accused of arson. In the northern province of Gilan, officials reported the detention of 50 ringleaders, with total arrests exceeding 1,500. State TV also announced the arrest of two men in Tehran linked to the Mujahedeen Khalq, an exiled Iranian opposition group advocating for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.
Here’s the burning question: Is Iran’s leadership justified in blaming external forces for the unrest, or is this a convenient narrative to deflect from internal grievances? And what role, if any, should the international community play in addressing the crisis? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation that demands diverse perspectives.
