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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has directly blamed former US President Donald Trump for the recent wave of violent protests in the country, accusing him of personal involvement in the unrest and holding him responsible for deaths and destruction.

In a statement on Saturday, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the loss of lives, damage to property, and allegations levelled against the Iranian people during the protests were the responsibility of the US president.

He claimed that individuals linked to the United States and Israel played a central role in instigating violence, alleging that thousands were killed during the unrest.

“We will not drag the country into war,” Khamenei said, adding, “but we will not allow domestic and international criminals to escape punishment.”

Echoing the Supreme Leader’s remarks, Iran’s Foreign Office said that what began as peaceful protests were turned violent by Zionist-backed terrorists, asserting that there is irrefutable evidence of Israel’s involvement in acts of violence and terrorism inside Iran.

The Foreign Office further stated that Iran would defend its national security against terrorism sponsored by external forces, stressing that any foreign-backed attempts to destabilise the country would be met with a firm response.