US President is the main culprit behind the loss of life and destruction in the riots in Iran: Khamenei

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that US President Donald Trump is the main culprit for the loss of life and widespread destruction in the recent riots. He made this statement in a speech to thousands of people from different walks of life on the occasion of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

According to a report by Press TV on Saturday (January 17), in addition to referring to Trump as a "criminal" in this context, the country's supreme religious leader explained in detail the nature of the recent unrest, the tactics used in it and Iran's responsibility to deal with it.

Ayatollah Khamenei said, 'In the past, when such chaos occurred, usually the US media and second-tier politicians in Europe and America were involved in it. But the recent incident is an exception. The US president himself has openly intervened, encouraged the rioters and even talked about military intervention.’

He said, ‘This proves that the recent unrest was a conspiracy instigated by the US. It was planned by the US. In the light of 50 years of experience, I firmly say that the US goal is to engulf Iran.’

Ayatollah Khamenei said, ‘US dominance in Iran has collapsed under the leadership of Imam Khomeini since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution. But from the first day, the US has been trying to re-establish political and economic dominance over Iran. This is not the policy of a single administration, but rather part of a long-term US strategy.’

The Iranian supreme leader also commented that he cannot tolerate a country with the characteristics, capabilities, geographical scope and scientific and technological progress of Iran. He added, ‘The US has presented those who set fire to property, burned property and carried out sabotage in the recent riots as the ‘Iranian people’. This is a serious slander and a serious crime against the Iranian nation.

Khamenei said that both the US and Israeli regimes were responsible for the incident. He said, “Many of the agents behind the riots were identified, trained and recruited by American and Israeli organizations. They were ordered to spread fear, cause destruction and disrupt public order, and were also given huge financial support.”

Iran’s law enforcement agencies have carried out their duties effectively and many members of these gangs have been arrested, he stressed, adding, “We will not push the country towards war, but we will not let domestic and international criminals go unpunished.”

Peaceful protests that began in Iran late last month gradually turned violent. Rioters have rampaged through cities across the country, killing security forces and civilians and attacking government infrastructure. Iranian officials have accused the US and Israeli regimes of being behind the riots and terrorist acts.

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo once tweeted, "Happy New Year to every Iranian on the streets and every Mossad agent walking alongside them." Similarly, in a post in Persian, Mossad called on rioters to take to the streets, claiming that they are with the rioters not just from a distance, but also on the ground.