Khamenei Trump Criminal Accusation 2026: Iran Blames US and Israel for Deadly Protests

Iran's leadership is pointing fingers as domestic unrest reaches a boiling point. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has openly accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the violent protests that have gripped the nation for over two weeks. On January 17, 2026, Khamenei specifically targeted US President Donald Trump, labeling him a "criminal" for his personal involvement in what Tehran describes as "sedition."

Direct Khamenei Trump Criminal Accusation 2026

Addressing a gathering in Tehran, Khamenei claimed that the current wave of unrest is distinct because of high-level international meddling. "The latest anti-Iran sedition was different in that the US president personally became involved," he stated, according to Iranian state media. He further alleged that foreign-linked actors were responsible for the deaths of several thousands and significant property destruction. These comments signal a hardening of Tehran's stance as it seeks to delegitimize domestic grievances by framing them as foreign operations.

Geopolitical Fallout and Domestic Control

While Iran maintains it doesn't want to drag the region into a broader conflict, the Supreme Leader warned that those responsible for the instability would face consequences. The Trump administration has not yet issued a formal rebuttal to these specific accusations, but tensions between the two nations remain at an all-time high. By blaming the US and Israel, the Iranian government aims to consolidate its base and justify a more aggressive crackdown on protesters who are primarily driven by economic hardship.