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Khamenei: Islamic Republic 'Will Not Back Down'

Published January 9, 2026, 12:15
Khamenei: Islamic Republic 'Will Not Back Down'

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned today that the country 'will not back down' in the face of protesters, whom he labeled as 'saboteurs' and 'vandals'. The statement comes after 13 days of protests in Iran, sparked by the economic situation. Khamenei accused US President Donald Trump of inciting the demonstrations and warned that he would be 'overthrown'. Meanwhile, internet access in Iran has been disrupted, in an attempt to suppress the protest movement. The demonstrations, the largest since those following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, have resulted in the deaths of at least 34 protesters and 4 security forces, with over 2,200 people arrested.