The movement that started against inflation in Iran has now turned into a demonstration challenging the power of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The protesters are raising slogans of handing over the power of the country to Iran’s opposition leader and exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. Iran’s state TV gave information about the protests for the first time and claimed that ‘terrorist agents’ of America and Israel spoiled the atmosphere. Addressing the nation, Khamenei said that some rioters wanted to please US President Donald Trump.

Will not tolerate mercenaries: Khamenei
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asked protesters to focus on their country’s problems. He warned that Tehran would not tolerate people working as mercenaries for foreigners. He accused the protesters of ‘causing havoc in their own country to please a foreign leader, especially US President Donald Trump.’ According to the report of news agency Associated Press, when Khamenei was saying these things, the crowd raised slogans of Down with America.

Trump’s hands are stained with the blood of thousands of Iranians: Khamenei

Khamenei said, ‘Everyone should be made to understand that we came to power after millions of sacrifices and are not going to bow down so easily. There are many problems within the United States. If he knew how to run a country, he would have run his own country. During this, Khamenei also mentioned the American attack on Iran’s nuclear plants in June 2025. He said, ‘American President Trump’s hands are stained with the blood of thousands of Iranians. Youth of Iran, maintain unity and readiness. A united nation can win over any enemy.

Raza Pahlavi called for demonstration

Reza Pahlavi told the people of Iran in a social media post, ‘The eyes of the whole world are on you. Take to the streets. Iran’s state television showed fires in metro stations and banks and burning buses and cars. Television accused the People’s Mujahideen Organization (MKO), an opposition group that broke away after the 1979 Islamic revolution, of being behind the unrest.

Internet and telephone lines were cut in the country on Thursday (8 January 2026) night after protesters joined protests in Tehran and other parts of the country on the call of Iran’s exiled Prince. Internet company ‘Cloudflare’ and another company ‘Netblox’ reported the loss of internet connectivity and both claimed the interference of the Iranian government for this.

Protests in Iran have spread to 111 cities and towns in all 31 provinces. According to reports, at least 34 protesters and 4 security personnel have been killed so far. 2,200 protesters have been arrested.