Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday accused Israel and the United States of orchestrating the disturbances taking place throughout the country in recent weeks.
The Iranian leader strongly backed the regime’s security forces, which are repressing the protests, and claimed that the unrest, sparked by the death on Sept. 16 of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, was not being caused by “ordinary Iranians,” Reuters reported.
Amini died in custody after being arrested by Iranian morality police in Tehran for failing to wear her veil correctly.
Khamenei said her death “deeply broke my heart,” calling it a “bitter incident,” according to the report.
Yet, he added, “some people had caused insecurity in the streets,” accusing Washington and Jerusalem of planning the unrest.
“The duty of our security forces, including police, is to ensure the safety of the Iranian nation ... the ones who attack the police are leaving Iranian citizens defenseless against thugs, robbers and extortionists,” said Khamenei.
Iranian police together with the Basij security forces have cracked down on protesters, arresting thousands, injuring hundreds and killing over 130, the report said, citing rights groups.
Khamenei claimed that security forces faced “injustice” during the incidents, stating, “In recent incidents, it is, above all, security forces including the police and Basij, as well as the people of Iran, who were wronged,” he said.
