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Iran protests: Supreme leader Khamenei blames 'enemies' Iran protests: Supreme leader Khamenei blames 'enemies'
(35 minutes later)
Iran's supreme leader has accused the country's enemies of stirring days of protests that have claimed at least 22 lives.Iran's supreme leader has accused the country's enemies of stirring days of protests that have claimed at least 22 lives.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was speaking for the first time since people protesting at Iran's economic troubles clashed with security forces last Thursday.Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was speaking for the first time since people protesting at Iran's economic troubles clashed with security forces last Thursday.
Nine people, including a child, died overnight in violence in central Iran, state media say.Nine people, including a child, died overnight in violence in central Iran, state media say.
The protests are the largest since the disputed 2009 presidential election.The protests are the largest since the disputed 2009 presidential election.
"In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence services to create troubles for the Islamic Republic," Iran's supreme leader was quoted as saying in a post on his official website. They began last Thursday in the city of Mashhad, initially against price rises and corruption, but have since spread amid wider anti-government sentiment.
What have Iran's leaders said?
In a post on his official website, Iran's supreme leader was quoted as saying: "In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence services to create troubles for the Islamic Republic."
He said he would address the nation about the recent events "when the time was right".He said he would address the nation about the recent events "when the time was right".
The protests began last Thursday in the city of Mashhad, initially against price rises and corruption, but have since spread amid wider anti-government sentiment. Analysts say the supreme leader's reference to "enemies" is a swipe at Israel, the US and regional rivals Saudi Arabia.
Some 450 people have been arrested in Tehran Province in recent days, the deputy governor-general of the province is quoted as saying. Tasnim news quoted Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, as saying: "Saudis will receive Iran's unexpected response and they know how serious it can be."
In the 2009 protests, millions disputed the election victory. Those demonstrations were brutally suppressed, with at least 30 people killed and thousands arrested. Musa Ghazanfarabadi, the head of Tehran's Revolutionary Court, in turn warned that the ringleaders of the protests would face harsh punishment.
How are Iran's leaders responding? President Hassan Rouhani's words have been more measured. He has called the protests an "opportunity, not a threat", recognised economic discontent and said people had a right to take the streets. However, he has also vowed to crack down on "lawbreakers".
Analysts say the supreme leader's reference to "enemies" is a swipe at Israel, the US and Saudi Arabia.
President Hassan Rouhani has criticised US President Donald Trump for repeatedly tweeting support for the protesters.
On Tuesday, Mr Trump said the people were "finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime".
Overall, Mr Rouhani's words have been measured. He has called the protests an "opportunity, not a threat", recognised economic discontent and said people had a right to take the streets. However, he has also vowed to crack down on "lawbreakers".
Reformist and moderate MPs have released a statement urging the authorities to be open to criticism and to be tolerant of the right to protest, which they said was enshrined in the constitution.Reformist and moderate MPs have released a statement urging the authorities to be open to criticism and to be tolerant of the right to protest, which they said was enshrined in the constitution.
Where is the latest violence happening? But they also accused the US of trying to take advantage of the situation.
Where is the latest unrest happening?
How has the outside world reacted?How has the outside world reacted?
President Trump has posted a string of tweets against Iran's leaders. US President Donald Trump has posted a string of tweets in support of the protesters and against Iran's leaders, the latest one on Tuesday.
Iran's foreign ministry responded by saying he should focus on "homeless and hungry people" in his own country, according to AFP news agency. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi responded by saying Mr Trump should focus on "the domestic issues of his own country, such as daily killings of dozens of people... and the existence of millions of homeless and hungry people".
The EU has called on Iran to guarantee its citizens' right to peaceful protest, saying it has been in touch with Iranian authorities and is monitoring the situation. In other reaction:
Turkey expressed concern at the unrest spreading and warned against any escalation.
Where will the protests lead?Where will the protests lead?
By Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editorBy Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editor
The demonstrations started last week in Mashhad, Iran's second biggest city, and since then have spread.The demonstrations started last week in Mashhad, Iran's second biggest city, and since then have spread.
To begin with they were about the economy, unemployment and inflation. Some protesters have asked why Iran is spending a lot of money on regional conflicts when people are suffering at home.To begin with they were about the economy, unemployment and inflation. Some protesters have asked why Iran is spending a lot of money on regional conflicts when people are suffering at home.
But quickly demonstrations moved on to politics, criticising leading figures in the Islamic Republic and some even calling for a return to the monarchy that was overthrown by revolution in 1979.But quickly demonstrations moved on to politics, criticising leading figures in the Islamic Republic and some even calling for a return to the monarchy that was overthrown by revolution in 1979.
This is not a new revolution but the protests are the biggest in Iran since the disputed presidential election in 2009. This time, though, it seems to be a movement without national leaders.This is not a new revolution but the protests are the biggest in Iran since the disputed presidential election in 2009. This time, though, it seems to be a movement without national leaders.
President Rouhani has tried to play it all down. Reformists and conservatives have been blaming each other and foreigners. But the protests show how discontented Iranians are with their lives, increasing poverty, and repression by the regime.President Rouhani has tried to play it all down. Reformists and conservatives have been blaming each other and foreigners. But the protests show how discontented Iranians are with their lives, increasing poverty, and repression by the regime.
What happened in 2009?
Mass demonstrations - referred to as the Green Movement - were held by millions of opposition supporters against the disputed election victory of incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
At least 30 people were killed and thousands arrested in the wave of protests, which drew the largest crowds in Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.