Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a stark warning to protesters in a brief address broadcast on state television, signaling that authorities would not tolerate the expanding demonstrations. Speaking before an audience chanting “Death to America!”, Khamenei framed the unrest as foreign-driven, saying protesters were “ruining their own streets to make the president of another country happy,” in a direct reference to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused protesters of acting on behalf of foreign powers, saying the Iranian nation would not tolerate those who, in his words, “turn themselves into mercenaries for foreigners.”

In a speech broadcast on state television, Khamenei said anyone who works for foreign interests is rejected by the Iranian people. Without naming him directly at first, he mocked U.S. President Donald Trump as an arrogant figure who “sits in judgment over the entire world,” warning that history shows despotic and arrogant powers often fall at the height of their pride.

Khamenei compared Trump to figures such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, Reza Khan and Mohammad Reza Shah, saying such leaders were overthrown when they believed themselves most powerful.

Turning directly to Trump, Khamenei accused the U.S. president of responsibility for Iranian deaths, saying his “hands are stained with the blood of more than a thousand Iranians.” He said that during what he described as a 12-day war, more than a thousand people — including ordinary citizens, as well as commanders, scientists and public figures — were killed.

Khamenei said Trump had openly admitted his role by declaring that he had given the orders and commanded the war. “By his own words, he has confessed,” Khamenei said, rejecting Trump’s claims that he supports the Iranian people. He added that some “inexperienced and careless” individuals inside Iran believe such statements and act in line with Washington’s wishes.

The remarks marked Khamenei’s most explicit public response since protests escalated nationwide and underscored the leadership’s position that the unrest constitutes a national security threat rather than a domestic political dispute.

Blackout Fails to Stop Demonstrations

Despite extensive internet shutdowns and the suspension of international telephone calls, protests continued late Thursday and into Friday morning. Witnesses said demonstrators marched through neighborhoods in Tehran and other cities, chanting slogans against the government and setting bonfires as debris littered streets.

Short videos shared online by activists before connections were severed appeared to show crowds chanting anti-regime slogans. Iranian state media later accused what it described as “terrorist agents” linked to the United States and Israel of starting fires and provoking violence. State outlets acknowledged “casualties” but did not release figures.

The communications blackout has made it difficult to assess the full scale of the unrest. However, the protests represent a sharp escalation from demonstrations that initially focused on economic grievances.

Rising Death Toll and Arrests

According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 42 people have been killed since the protests began, including 34 demonstrators and eight members of the security forces. The group said more than 2,270 people have been detained across the country.

Security forces have used tear gas and, in some cases, live ammunition to disperse crowds. HRANA and local witnesses reported injuries caused by pellet and plastic bullets, as well as arson attacks on government buildings and police vehicles in several cities.

Pahlavi’s Call Adds Political Edge

The protests intensified following a call by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, who urged Iranians to take to the streets. Pahlavi said authorities responded by cutting communications nationwide.

“Iranians demanded their freedom tonight,” Pahlavi said. “In response, the regime in Iran has cut all lines of communication.”

Demonstrations have included chants praising the former monarchy, including slogans such as “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!”—a notable development in a country where support for the shah once carried severe penalties.

The protests began on Dec. 28 over Iran’s deteriorating economy but have since evolved into the most significant challenge to the Islamic Republic’s leadership in several years.