Iran has issued its strongest warning yet amid rising tensions with the United States. President Masoud Pezeshkian says any attack on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be treated as a declaration of war, responding to speculation that Donald Trump is considering removing or targeting Iran’s top leader. The warning comes as Iran reels from weeks of deadly protests triggered by inflation, economic collapse and U.S. sanctions. Tehran accuses Washington of fueling unrest, while Trump has openly urged Iranians to challenge their leadership. The U.S. reportedly came close to launching military strikes before pulling back under regional and diplomatic pressure, underscoring how quickly the standoff could escalate.


"Attack Khamenei = War,” Iran Draws Red Line Over Trump's Threats to Supreme Leader 

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said authorities “must break the back of the seditionists” and blamed US President Donald Trump for “casualties” after the Islamic Republic’s bloody crackdown on a protest wave against the country’s clerical authorities.


Iran Unrest: Khamenei Accuses Trump of Backing Protests 

Donald Trump called for an end to Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei's 37-year-old rule. Trump says it’s time for new leadership in Iran amid ongoing protest. 

'Trump Was On Verge Of Attacking Iran': Reports | Denounces Iranian Governance

Khamenei Blames Trump, U.S. for Deadly Iran Protests

US President Donald Trump has called for an end to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 37-year-old rule. 

US President pushes for leadership change in Iran

 Iran's supreme leader said Saturday (Jan 17) that authorities "must break the back of the seditionists", blaming US President Donald Trump for "casualties" after a deadly crackdown on protests against the country's clerical leadership. 

Iran's Leader Demands Crackdown on 'Seditionists' After Protests 

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said authorities “must break the back of the seditionists” and blamed US President Donald Trump for “casualties” after the Islamic Republic’s bloody crackdown on a protest wave against the country’s clerical authorities.

Iran's supreme leader has for the first time publicly acknowledged that thousands of people were killed during recent protests.

In a speech on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said thousands had been killed, "some in an inhuman, savage manner", and blamed the US for the deaths.

Iran Unrest: Supreme Leader Blames Trump for Deaths, Military Intervention 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday blamed President Donald Trump for weeks of protests after rights groups said a violent crackdown by security forces had claimed thousands of lives.  

Protests in Iran Subside After Deadly Crackdown & Internet Blackout 

Hundreds gathered in Kargil, Ladakh, on January 13, 2026, for a pro-Ayatollah Ali Khamenei procession organized by Shia community groups, voicing solidarity with Iran's leadership during nationwide anti-regime protests. 

Iran Unrest: Crowds Gather in Support of Iranian Supreme Leader in Kargil

Kargil Crowds Rally for Iran's Khamenei Amid Unrest

Iran is witnessing widespread protests despite an ongoing internet shutdown. Demonstrations have spread across multiple cities as citizens voice anger over economic hardships and government policies. Security forces have cracked down on protesters, and the death toll has risen to 65.

Unrest Continues in Iran Despite Internet Shutdown; Death Toll Rises to 65

Iran is witnessing widespread protests despite an ongoing internet shutdown. Demonstrations have spread across multiple cities as citizens voice anger over economic hardships and government policies. Security forces have cracked down on protesters, and the death toll has risen to 65.


Iran Protest: Iran Unrest Persists Amid Internet Blackout; Death Toll Reaches 65

Iran is facing widespread protests as citizens voice anger over economic hardship, government policies, and political restrictions. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has reacted strongly, condemning the unrest while authorities attempt to restore order.

Iran Protest: Khamenei Lashes Out as Iran Struggles to Quell Protests

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a strong statement, accusing rioters of pleasing former US President Donald Trump and urging Trump to focus on America’s own internal problems. The remarks come amid heightened tensions and ongoing unrest, drawing global attention to US-Iran relations and regional stability.

Breaking: Khamenei Says Rioters Pleasing Trump, Issues Warning

Huge crowds of protesters have been marching through Iran's capital and other cities, videos show, in what is said to be the largest show of force by opponents of the clerical establishment in years.

US-Iran Clash: Iranians Chant 'Death to the Dictator in Tehran' 

Iran's anti-government protests, sparked by economic collapse and currency crisis, have surged into at least 17 provinces and over 100 cities by January 6, 2026, with demonstrators chanting against Khamenei while security forces unleash tear gas, raid hospitals, and clash violently.

Iran Protests Spread Nationwide, Statues Torched Amid Tear Gas Clashes

At least four people were killed in western Iran on Saturday in clashes between protesters and security forces, two rights groups said, accusing Revolutionary Guards of opening fire on demonstrators.

Iran’s Security Forces Reportedly Used Live Ammunition on Protesters

Iran Unrest: Protesters Raise Slogans Against Islamic Republic, Khamenei Vows Strict Action

At least four people were killed in western Iran on Saturday in clashes between protesters and security forces, two rights groups said, accusing Revolutionary Guards of opening fire on demonstrators.


Iran Unrest: Protests in Western Iran: 4 Killed, 30 Wounded

This comes after a member of the Iranian paramilitary force was killed during the demonstrations in the western part of the country as protests spread across more than two dozen cities.

‘Must be put in their place’: Khamenei warns rioters, says protesters’ demands ‘completely fair’

Iran has erected banners across Tehran threatening further attacks on Israel and a US base in Qatar. The banners show maps and locations of sites hit during the June conflict, including Israel’s Nevatim airbase, Haifa refinery, and Qatar’s Al‑Udeid airbase.

IRGC officials warned that Tehran’s missile capabilities have grown and future retaliation could be even more extensive. The move follows US President Donald Trump’s support for possible Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear or missile sites, escalating tensions in the region and raising fears of renewed conflict.


Iran-Israel tensions: Iranian banners show Israeli sites targeted in June  

Several people have been killed in widespread protests across Iran over economic hardships, falling currency and rising prices, Iranian media and rights groups report. Clashes between demonstrators and security forces, including the Basij, have left several dead and injured. Authorities plan dialogue with unions and merchants while the rial loses about half its value in 2025.


Iran Protests: Massive Street Protests Spread to 32 Cities Across Iran, 7 Killed

Recent reports from intelligence agencies and think tanks suggest that while Iran has not made a political decision to build a nuclear weapon, it is making significant technical advances and exploring paths that could shorten the time needed for weaponization if its leadership decided to pursue one. 

Reports Suggest Iran's Quiet Move Towards Nuclear Weapons

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"Attack Khamenei = War,” Iran Draws Red Line Over Trump's Threats to Supreme Leader

Iran Unrest: Khamenei Accuses Trump of Backing Protests

'Trump Was On Verge Of Attacking Iran': Reports | Denounces Iranian Governance

Khamenei Blames Trump, U.S. for Deadly Iran Protests

US President pushes for leadership change in Iran

Iran's Leader Demands Crackdown on 'Seditionists' After Protests

Iran Unrest: Khamenei Accuses Trump of Backing Protests

Iran Unrest: Supreme Leader Blames Trump for Deaths, Military Intervention

Protests in Iran Subside After Deadly Crackdown & Internet Blackout

Iran Unrest: Crowds Gather in Support of Iranian Supreme Leader in Kargil

Kargil Crowds Rally for Iran's Khamenei Amid Unrest

Unrest Continues in Iran Despite Internet Shutdown; Death Toll Rises to 65

Iran Protest: Iran Unrest Persists Amid Internet Blackout; Death Toll Reaches 65

Iran Protest: Khamenei Lashes Out as Iran Struggles to Quell Protests

Breaking: Khamenei Says Rioters Pleasing Trump, Issues Warning

US-Iran Clash: Iranians Chant 'Death to the Dictator in Tehran'

Iran Protests Spread Nationwide, Statues Torched Amid Tear Gas Clashes

Iran’s Security Forces Reportedly Used Live Ammunition on Protesters

Iran Unrest: Protesters Raise Slogans Against Islamic Republic, Khamenei Vows Strict Action

Iran Unrest: Protests in Western Iran: 4 Killed, 30 Wounded

‘Must be put in their place’: Khamenei warns rioters, says THIS on demands

Iran-Israel tensions: Iranian banners show Israeli sites targeted in June

Iran Protests: Massive Street Protests Spread to 32 Cities Across Iran, 7 Killed

Reports Suggest Iran's Quiet Move Towards Nuclear Weapons