Iran supreme leader calls Trump ‘criminal’ amid resistance protests

According to Iranian media cited by Reuters, Khamenei said the recent unrest was unique because the U.S. president was personally involved

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: January 17, 2026 10:22am

Updated: January 17, 2026 10:27am

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday strongly criticized President Donald Trump, calling him a “criminal” and blaming the U.S. for instigating the deadliest protests in decades.

According to Iranian media cited by Reuters, Khamenei said the recent unrest was unique because the U.S. president was personally involved.

"We consider the U.S. president criminal for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation," Khamenei said, according to Iranian state media.

The regime has killed at least 2,000 protesters, according to Reuters reports.