Iran’s leadership is digging in — but so are the people in the streets.
As protests stretch into their second week, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made one thing clear: the state will not retreat.
In his first address since the unrest began, Khamenei dismissed protesters as “vandals” and “saboteurs,” blaming the US for stoking chaos.
“They’re destroying their own streets to please a foreign president,” he said, taking aim at Donald Trump, who has openly backed the demonstrators.
Behind the rhetoric, the message was unmistakable.
A tougher crackdown is coming. Iran’s judiciary chief warned punishments would be “maximum” and “without leniency.”
Nationwide Uprising Grows
Yet despite internet blackouts and mounting violence, thousands continue to march.
From Tehran to Mashhad, crowds have torched state buildings, raised the pre-revolution lion-and-sun flag, and chanted against the regime.
“They’re aiming for the eyes,” said Maryam, a 25-year-old artist in Tehran.
“Police and militias are driving motorbikes straight into crowds.”
The protests began over a collapsing currency but quickly grew into something bigger — a nationwide challenge to the Islamic Republic itself.
At least 42 people have been killed and thousands detained, according to rights groups.
The government calls it foreign sabotage. Protesters call it survival. The question now? Which side blinks first.
