Iran Security Chief Ali Larijani Blasts Trump After He Backs Protesters

Iran’s political confrontation with the United States escalated sharply as Ali Larijani, Iran’s top national security official, launched a scathing attack on former US President Donald Trump following his public support for anti-government protesters. The remarks come amid intensifying unrest across Iran, where nationwide demonstrations have resulted in thousands of deaths and mass arrests.

Hours after Trump urged Iranian citizens to “take over” government institutions, Larijani issued a strongly worded statement on X, accusing external powers of instigating violence in the country. In his post, Larijani described Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the “main killers of the people of Iran,” alleging that Washington and Tel Aviv were directly responsible for fuelling chaos and bloodshed.

The remarks followed Trump’s decision to cancel all planned meetings with Iranian officials in response to the rising death toll among protesters. Trump has repeatedly criticised Tehran’s handling of the unrest, warning of severe consequences if Iranian authorities resort to executing demonstrators. In a recent media interaction, he stated that the United States would take “very strong action” should reports of protesters being hanged prove true.

Iranian authorities have rejected these statements, portraying them as blatant interference in the country’s internal affairs. Larijani accused the US and Israel of orchestrating destabilisation efforts at a time when Iran is facing deep economic distress and political unrest. The protests, initially triggered by economic grievances, have rapidly evolved into a direct challenge to Iran’s ruling theocratic system.

Iran’s diplomatic offensive also extended to the United Nations Security Council. Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani submitted a formal letter accusing the US of encouraging violence and threatening Iran’s sovereignty. The letter, also addressed to Antonio Guterres, cited Trump’s social media posts as evidence of incitement and external meddling.

Human rights organisations have reported staggering figures as the unrest enters its third week. The Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 2,403 protesters have been killed nationwide, including minors, while more than 18,000 people have reportedly been arrested. These figures emerged after brief restoration of communication services, following prolonged internet and phone shutdowns imposed by Iranian authorities.

Iranian state media later acknowledged significant casualties for the first time, referring to the dead as “martyrs,” though officials claimed delays in releasing figures were due to the condition of bodies recovered during the violence. The admission marked a rare public acknowledgment amid mounting international scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Trump has continued to sharpen his rhetoric, encouraging protesters to persist while offering vague assurances of external support. He has also claimed that Tehran had reached out to Washington for negotiations, a statement not officially confirmed by Iranian authorities.

As tensions deepen, the exchange of accusations highlights a widening diplomatic rift at a time when Iran is facing one of the deadliest periods of internal unrest since the 1979 revolution. The situation remains volatile, with global attention fixed on whether the crisis will escalate further on both diplomatic and security fronts.