Iran’s leader calls Trump a ‘criminal’ for backing protests and blames demonstrators for deaths

Photo: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Trump during a meeting in the White House – January 15, 2026. Photo credit: Official White House photo by Daniel Torok via Flickr. US government work. Article by Elena Becatoros. AP News – January 17, 2026.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday branded U.S. President Donald Trump a “criminal” for supporting protesters in Iran, and blamed demonstrators for causing thousands of deaths. In a speech broadcast by state television, Khamenei said the protests had left “several thousand” people dead — the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties from the wave of protests that began Dec. 28 and led to a bloody crackdown. […]

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