‘Iran Will Not Tolerate…’: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Tells Trump To Focus On His Own Country, Warns Protesters

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a strong warning against ongoing protests across the country, declaring that the Islamic Republic will not back down in the face of unrest or foreign pressure.

Speaking on state television, Khamenei said that Iran would not tolerate people who "serve foreigners" or act in the interest of other nations.

"Everyone should know that the Islamic Republic will not retreat," Khamenei said. "It will not tolerate serving foreigners." He added that anyone working with outside forces would be rejected by both the government and the Iranian people.

His statement came at a time of growing demonstrations and frustration across Iran. Reports of an internet blackout began Thursday and continued into Friday, cutting off communication lines nationwide. The government blocked major online platforms and international calls, making it harder for protesters to share videos or organize rallies.

Despite this, people took to the streets in Tehran and other cities following calls from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last monarch, who urged citizens to protest against the country's leadership. Online clips shared by activists appeared to show protesters chanting anti-government slogans, burning debris, and lighting bonfires.

Khamenei earlier accused protesters of trying to "ruin their own streets to make the president of another country happy," referring to U.S. President Donald Trump. Iranian state media also accused "terrorist agents" from the U.S. and Israel of inciting violence and setting fires.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 34 protesters and four security officers have been killed so far, while around 2,200 people have been detained. Analysts say the unrest reflects deep dissatisfaction among Iranians over economic hardship, corruption, and strict social control.

Women's Viral Protest: Burning Khamenei's Photo

A new form of protest has caught global attention. Videos of Iranian women burning photographs of Khamenei and using the flames to light their cigarettes are spreading rapidly online. The act combines two forbidden gestures - disrespecting the Supreme Leader and women smoking in public - turning it into a symbol of defiance against Iran's leadership.

Under Iran's strict religious rules, burning a picture of the Supreme Leader is considered a serious crime, and women smoking publicly is frowned upon. But many Iranian women are now using this act to show they are no longer afraid. Social media platforms such as X, Instagram, and Telegram are flooded with these clips, which have been shared thousands of times.

The movement comes at a time when Iran's economy is collapsing. The rial has dropped to record lows, trading above 1.4 million to the U.S. dollar on unofficial markets. Inflation remains above 40 percent, and the prices of food, medicine, and basic goods have skyrocketed, making daily life increasingly difficult.

Many people now view the protests as a desperate call for freedom and dignity rather than just political opposition.

Reports of a Possible "Moscow Exit Plan"

As tensions rise, some reports claim that Ayatollah Khamenei might be preparing a contingency plan to flee Tehran for Moscow if the situation worsens. According to these unverified accounts, he would leave with about 20 close aides and family members, including his son and potential successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The plan would reportedly be activated if the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or other security forces refuse to continue suppressing protesters. This speculation points to growing concern within Iran's leadership about losing control of the country.

Unlike earlier waves of unrest, today's protests bring several crises together - a collapsing economy, exhausted security forces, mounting foreign pressure, and open competition among opposition groups.

If the alleged "Moscow exit plan" proves true, it would underline how serious the internal turmoil has become. For now, however, Khamenei insists that Iran will not retreat, even as the voices of anger on its streets grow louder by the day.