Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a stark warning on Sunday. He stated that any attack targeting the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be considered a declaration of war against Iran. This strong statement comes as tensions with the United States intensify significantly.
Economic Hardships and Sanctions
Pezeshkian made his remarks in a post on the social media platform X. He directly linked Iran's severe economic difficulties to what he called long-standing hostility from the United States. The president blamed inhumane sanctions imposed by the US government and its allies for the nation's struggles.
"Any affront to the Supreme Leader of our country is tantamount to an all-out war against the Iranian nation," Pezeshkian wrote. His words underscore the high stakes in the current geopolitical climate.
Deadly Nationwide Protests
Iran is currently dealing with the fallout from weeks of widespread unrest. The protests were triggered by deep economic distress and broader political grievances. Iranian officials claim more than 5,000 people have lost their lives during these demonstrations. This figure includes approximately 500 members of the security forces.
Authorities blame the violence on what they describe as terrorists and armed rioters. However, human rights groups present a different picture. They estimate that at least 3,000 protesters have died. These groups warn that the true death toll could be much higher than official numbers suggest.
Supreme Leader's Rare Admission
In a notable development, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a rare admission. He acknowledged that several thousand people were killed during the recent unrest. Khamenei delivered this statement in a televised address to the nation.
During his speech, he accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the protests. Khamenei described former US President Donald Trump as a criminal for supporting the demonstrators. "We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished," the Supreme Leader declared.
Escalating Rhetoric from Trump
Donald Trump responded by escalating his own rhetoric against the Iranian leadership. He stated it was time to look for new leadership in Iran. Trump accused Khamenei of destroying the country through extreme violence.
The former president also claimed that Tehran had halted planned executions of hundreds of detainees. However, many analysts have questioned the accuracy of this assertion. They remain skeptical about such claims without concrete evidence.
Calm Returning Amid Ongoing Concerns
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities report that calm is gradually returning to the country. Schools have started reopening, and internet access is being restored piece by piece. This follows a prolonged communications blackout that severely limited information flow.
Rights groups argue this blackout helped conceal a brutal government crackdown on protesters. Iran's judiciary has issued a stern warning. It stated that those accused of leading violence could face swift trials and capital charges.
International concern over potential executions continues to grow. The global community watches closely as Iran navigates this period of internal turmoil and external pressure.
