Divya Delhi : Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed ongoing anti-government protests as acts of vandalism, accusing demonstrators of trying to please US President Donald Trump. Iran has also written to the United Nations Security Council, blaming the United States for fuelling what it called violent and subversive acts. The protests, now in their 13th day, began over economic grievances and have escalated into the largest unrest in years, with calls for an end to the Islamic Republic. Human rights groups say at least 48 protesters and 14 security personnel have been killed, while over 2,200 people have been arrested. An internet blackout remains in place. US President Trump warned Iran was “in big trouble,” while insisting there would be no American boots on the ground. Meanwhile, European leaders and the United Nations have expressed deep concern over the killings and urged Iran to protect the right to peaceful protest.
