Khamenei Breaks Silence on National Unrest, Blasts "Foreign Plots" and Trump’s Interference
In a defiant televised address, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has broken his silence on the nationwide unrest, labeling the protests a "foreign conspiracy" orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel. Directly targeting President Donald Trump, Khamenei vowed to defend Iranian sovereignty against imperialist interference while signaling a harsh crackdown on domestic dissent.
Khamenei’s discourse characterized the ongoing violence and the destruction of public property as the handiwork of "rioters" serving the interests of Western intelligence. He alleged that these elements were operating under the financial and ideological patronage of the United States and Israel, asserting that their primary objective was to appease Washington rather than advocate for the Iranian people. In a sharp rebuke to the White House, Khamenei advised President Trump to pivot his attention toward the mounting domestic challenges within the United States instead of fueling volatility abroad. He invoked Iran's historical resilience, reminding both domestic and international audiences that the Islamic Republic has a long-standing legacy of remaining unbowed in the face of imperialist pressure—a stance he maintains is a display of courage rather than unprovoked aggression.
Addressing the younger generation directly, the Supreme Leader issued a poignant call for national unity, describing the collective solidarity of the people as the "only shield" capable of neutralizing the "agents" of foreign powers. This appeal to patriotism appears to be a strategic effort to reclaim the loyalty of a disillusioned youth demographic and to delegitimize the protest movement by branding it as a tool of neo-colonialism. Beyond the rhetoric of unity, however, the speech serves as a significant legal and moral catalyst for the state’s security apparatus. By officially categorizing the protesters as "foreign operatives," Khamenei has provided the judiciary and security forces with a broad mandate to escalate their response. This aligns with recent declarations from Iran’s judicial authorities, who have already signaled a "zero tolerance" policy toward any actions deemed a threat to public order or national security.
As international analysts monitor the situation, the address is being interpreted as the formal opening of a volatile new chapter in the enduring Cold War between Tehran and Washington. Khamenei’s refusal to acknowledge the internal drivers of the protests suggests that the government is doubling down on a security-first approach rather than seeking a path of reform or conciliation. The broader implications of this stance are profound; it sets the stage for a potential intensification of the conflict on the streets. Whether this call to nationalistic fervor will succeed in fracturing the momentum of the protesters or simply catalyze a more desperate and violent cycle of confrontation remains the pivotal question for the stability of the region in the coming days.

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