Tehran (Iran): A senior Iranian cleric leading Friday prayers in Tehran demanded the death penalty for detained protesters and openly threatened former US President Donald Trump, reflecting the hardline fury within Iran’s leadership following weeks of nationwide unrest.
Ahmad Khatami, a prominent cleric appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, used his sermon—broadcast on state radio—to call for harsh punishment against those arrested during the demonstrations. His remarks triggered chants from the congregation, including calls for the execution of what they termed “armed hypocrites.”
The protests, which erupted on December 28 over Iran’s worsening economic conditions, quickly evolved into a broader challenge to the country’s theocratic system. Authorities responded by cutting internet access on January 8 and launching an intensified crackdown. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,677 people have been killed, though the Associated Press said it could not independently verify the toll. Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures.
During the sermon, Khatami labelled protesters as agents of foreign powers, describing them as “soldiers” of former US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He accused them of plotting to destabilise and fragment the country and warned both leaders to expect “hard revenge” from Iran’s system.
Khatami also released what he said were nationwide figures on damage caused during the unrest. He claimed that 350 mosques, 126 prayer halls and 20 other religious sites were damaged, along with 80 homes of Friday prayer leaders. In addition, he said hundreds of hospitals and emergency vehicles—including ambulances and fire service units—had been vandalised or destroyed.
“They want to pull people away from religion,” Khatami said, alleging that the unrest had been planned long in advance. He also urged authorities to arrest anyone who had supported the protesters “in any way.”
As a member of both Iran’s Assembly of Experts and Guardian Council, Khatami is believed to have access to official data. Analysts say the public disclosure of such figures during Friday prayers suggests the government’s intent to convey its narrative without issuing a formal nationwide address.
