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3. Khamenei Accuses Trump of "Incitement, Destruction"

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday alleged U.S. President Donald Trump was responsible for the slaughter of protesters in Iran, saying "We see the president of the United States as a criminal, because of the deaths, destruction and incitement he has committed against the Iranian nation.” 

“We do not intend to lead the country to war, but we will not spare domestic criminals… worse than domestic criminals, international criminals, we will not spare them either,” the leader told supporters during an address. 

Trump, Khamenei said, had personally intervened, accusing him of making statements that emboldened demonstrators and pledging military backing. “Trump himself intervened in this unrest, made statements, encouraged the rioters, and said we will provide military support,” he added.

The events, he said, were planned by Americans with the aim of asserting control over Iran, repeating a long-standing narrative that external forces are behind domestic dissent. He also accused the U.S. president of misrepresenting those involved in the unrest, saying Trump portrayed “vandals” as the Iranian nation.

A violent response to the protests has claimed at least 3,090 lives, according to U.S.-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), with some activist groups putting the death toll far higher. An internet blackout has made it extremely difficult to get clear information.

The U.S. State Department said on Saturday that it had "heard reports that the Islamic Republic is preparing options to target American bases". It said Iran would be met with "a very, very powerful force" if it launched such an attack and warned Tehran not to "play games with President Trump".