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Iran protests: Supreme leader Khamenei blames 'enemies' Iran protests: Supreme leader Khamenei blames 'enemies'
(about 1 hour 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.
They began last Thursday in the city of Mashhad, initially against price rises and corruption, but have since spread amid wider anti-government sentiment.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?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."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".
Analysts say the supreme leader's reference to "enemies" is a swipe at Israel, the US and regional rivals Saudi Arabia. Analysts say the supreme leader's reference to "enemies" is a swipe at Israel, the US and regional rival Saudi Arabia.
Tasnim news quoted Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, as warning Saudi Arabia that there would be a response from Iran "and they know how serious it can be".Tasnim news quoted Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, as warning Saudi Arabia that there would be a response from Iran "and they know how serious it can be".
Musa Ghazanfarabadi, the head of Tehran's Revolutionary Court, in turn warned that the ringleaders of the protests would face harsh punishment.Musa Ghazanfarabadi, the head of Tehran's Revolutionary Court, in turn warned that the ringleaders of the protests would face harsh punishment.
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".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".
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.
But they also accused the US of trying to take advantage of the situation.But they also accused the US of trying to take advantage of the situation.
Where is the latest unrest happening?Where is the latest unrest happening?
How has the outside world reacted?How has the outside world reacted?
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.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 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".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".
In other reaction:In other reaction:
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. When the protests started last Thursday, they were about the current economic crisis. But as they spread, pent up frustrations spilled out and politics became a big part of them.
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. President Rouhani has been widely criticised. He's disappointed voters who hoped he'd do more to turn round an economy that has been damaged by years of sanctions, corruption and mismanagement.
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. Iran's role in conflicts across the Middle East has also been criticised as it's an expensive foreign policy at a time when people in Iran are getting poorer.
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. Leading figures in the Islamic Republic have also been targeted by protesters, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He's responded by blaming foreigners. Iran has suffered in the past from foreign interference, so his words will strike a chord among some - and could also signal a much tougher response from the security forces.
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. The demonstrations don't seem to have recognisable leaders, unlike the last big protests after the disputed presidential election in 2009. At that time, the elite of the Islamic Republic was divided. It's not at the moment, so that will make it harder for the protests to be sustained, and they may run out of steam.
But the fact they're happening at all is very significant. They show how discontented Iranians are with increasing poverty, after years of repression.
What happened in 2009?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. 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.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.