Ali Khamenei: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has remarked in a televised interview that the Islamic Republic is not threatened by Donald Trump. Khamenei asked Trump to look into the matters of his own country instead of worrying for other countries.
Khamenei remarked that the Islamic Republic would not back down due to nationwide protests and Trump rhetoric. He remarked that the protests were a work of foreign powers.
In another development, the state media of Iran finally broke its silence and alleged “terrorist agents” of Israel and the United States sparked violence in the country.
What Did Ali Khamenei Said?
The Supreme Leader said that anyone who is working for outside forces and against Iran would be outrightly rejected by both the Islamic state and the people. The comments of Khamenei came after an internet blackout was reported in the country. Iran’s government have also cut off international phone calls so that no one can report any developments happening in the country. These events coincided with a call by Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last Shah.
Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, remarked that the ruling Iranian government does not want the world to see the protests. Dagres added it would also provide “cover for security forces to kill protesters.”
In a speech, Khamenei remarked that the Iranian protestors were ruining their own streets for making the President of another country happy,” referring to Donald Trump.
Earlier, Trump had threatened the Iranian government over protestor crackdown. He added that Iran would pay dearly if it does not stop atrocities against its citizens. Trump also claimed that Khamenei was “looking to go somewhere.” It is widely believed that Khamenei would run to Russia, a long-time ally, if the Iranian protests go more forceful.
The Iranian protests that started on December 28 with a Tehran Bazaar shutdown has now spread to all 31 provinces of the country.
The recent movement of US’s Doomsday E-4B has added to speculations that the days of Ali Khamenei are over now.