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A prominent hardline cleric in Iran has called for the execution of protesters following a violent crackdown that left thousands dead and effectively suppressed nationwide demonstrations.
Speaking during Friday prayers, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami condemned the protesters, declaring that what he called “armed hypocrites” deserved death. He accused demonstrators of acting as agents for Israel and the United States, warning that neither country should expect peace. Khatami referred to protesters as servants and soldiers of foreign powers.
Khatami holds significant influence within Iran’s political system, serving on both the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting the supreme leader.
His remarks contrasted sharply with comments made earlier in the week by US President Donald Trump, who suggested he had delayed military action after Iranian officials reportedly agreed to pause executions of detained protesters. On Friday night, Trump publicly thanked Iran for stopping what he claimed were planned executions of 800 people, though the source of that figure was unclear.
Despite this, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded by calling Trump a “criminal” for what he described as direct involvement in the unrest. Khamenei pledged continued punishment for those involved in the protests, saying the state must decisively crush what he called sedition.
Human rights organizations say repression has not ended. According to the Human Rights Activists news agency, more than 3,090 people have been killed since the unrest began, with nearly 4,000 additional cases still under review. Over 22,100 individuals have reportedly been arrested, raising serious concerns about the treatment of detainees.
The protests began on 28 December, initially triggered by anger over the rapid fall of Iran’s currency. Demonstrations quickly spread across the country and evolved into broader demands for the overthrow of the government, marking the most severe and deadly unrest since the 1979 revolution.
Authorities responded with force, which Human Rights Watch described as including mass killings of protesters. The crackdown has largely cleared the streets of demonstrators.
Following the suppression of protests, officials have publicly emphasized punishment of those involved, portraying the unrest as a foreign-backed attempt to destabilize the country.
In his sermon, Khatami claimed protesters damaged hundreds of religious sites and public facilities, including mosques, hospitals, ambulances, and emergency vehicles.
It remains uncertain whether the protest movement will return. Iran remains largely isolated as authorities continue an internet shutdown that has lasted more than a week.
Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former shah and a leading opposition figure during the unrest, continued to call for the government’s removal and urged President Trump to take action, saying Iranians have no choice but to continue their struggle regardless of outside intervention.
