Iran Supreme Leader Vows Crackdown as Deadly Unrest Drags On
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting, in Tehran, Jan. 3.
Source: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that the grievances behind deadly protests were justified, but accused external forces of inciting the unrest and vowed to crack down on rioters.
“Their point was a valid one,” Khamenei said in his first public appearance after a week of protests. However, he blamed state enemies for the rise in food prices and currency volatility that triggered the unrest.