Khamenei’s Accusation Links Trump to Protest Violence In a televised speech on Jan 18, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called former U.S. President Donald Trump a “criminal” who backs the demonstrators that have been labeled “foot soldiers of the United States” and accuses Washington of seeking to dominate Iran’s resources [1][2]. He framed the ongoing unrest as a U.S.-engineered threat to Iranian sovereignty. The speech aired on state television and was echoed in official communications the following day.

Crackdown Death Toll Estimated at Over 3,300 Rights groups and the U.S.-based HRANA agency report that the security crackdown, which began after protests erupted on Dec 28, has killed at least 3,308 people [1][2]. Both outlets note that Iranian authorities have not independently verified the figure, but activists cite it to illustrate the scale of the violence. The death toll has become a focal point for international criticism as the protests have largely subsided in major cities.

Trump Calls for Regime Change While Praising Execution Moratorium Trump told Politico that the United States should end Khamenei’s nearly 40‑year rule, describing the Iranian leader as a “sick man” and blaming the regime for Iran’s hardships [1][2]. A day earlier, Trump expressed “great respect” for reports that Iran cancelled the hanging of more than 800 protesters, though he offered no verification of the moratorium [1][2]. His dual stance—hardline calls for leadership change paired with a conciliatory comment on the executions—has drawn both praise and skepticism.