Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said the country will not give in to pressure as protests linked to economic hardship continue in several parts of Iran, while the United States warned Tehran against the violent suppression of demonstrators.
Speaking in a public address, Khamenei acknowledged that many Iranians are suffering because of rising prices, unemployment and the sharp fall in the national currency. At the same time, he accused what he described as troublemakers of exploiting public anger and said such actions would not be tolerated.
Protests have been reported in cities across western and central Iran over the past week. Demonstrators have voiced frustration over inflation, delayed wages and the overall cost of living. Rights groups say at least ten people have been killed in clashes, with dozens more injured and detained, though official figures have not confirmed these numbers.
Iranian authorities say security forces are acting to restore order and insist that foreign powers are encouraging unrest. State media has repeated claims that outside enemies are trying to weaken the country at a time of economic pressure and international sanctions.
The unrest has drawn sharp reactions from Washington. US President **Donald Trump** said the United States would intervene if Iran violently suppresses peaceful protests. His comments have further raised tensions between **United States** and **Iran**, which have been strained for years over sanctions and regional influence.
Iran’s leadership has dismissed the warning, saying the country will decide its own path without foreign interference. Analysts say the government is trying to balance limited acknowledgment of public grievances with a firm stance against any challenge to its authority.
For now, protests appear smaller than the nationwide unrest seen in previous years, but economists warn that unless living conditions improve, public anger is likely to resurface. As the standoff continues, both domestic pressure and international scrutiny are expected to remain high in the days ahead.