New York Times: Iran’s Supreme Leader Blames ‘Enemies’ for Deadly Protests
LONDON — Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, blamed “enemies” of Iran on Tuesday for protests that have left more than 20 people dead, in his first comments since the unrest started last week.
“In recent events, enemies of Iran have allied & used the various means they possess, including money, weapons, politics & intelligence services, to trouble the Islamic Republic,” said a post in English on Ayatollah Khamenei’s Twitter account. “The enemy is always looking for an opportunity & any crevice to infiltrate & strike the Iranian nation.”
As of Tuesday morning, the death toll from the protests across the country and the ensuing crackdown by the government and security services was at least 21. About 450 people had been taken into custody in the capital, Tehran, alone, according to the semiofficial news agency ILNA, and arrests have also been reported elsewhere.
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Unrest In Iran -- News Roundup January 2, 2017
Iran’s top leader blames protests on meddling by ‘enemies' -- AP
Khamenei blames Iran's 'enemies' for unrest as hundreds arrested -- AFP
Iran protests: 21 dead as leader blames 'enemies' -- UPI
Iran unrest claims more lives as new clashes break out -- DW
Protests Continue On Tuesday, As Officials Report 1000 Arrests -- Radio Farda
Iran's enemies to blame for unrest, says supreme leader, as nine die overnight -- The Guardian
Iran protests: Supreme leader Khamenei blames 'enemies' -- BBC
Iran protests: Khamenei accuses foreign 'enemies' of fuelling unrest as 450 reportedly arrested -- ABC News Online
Iran’s enemies ‘using money & weapons to undermine government’ – supreme leader Khamenei -- RT
Iran's Khamenei blames 'enemies' as death toll rises -- Al Jazeera
Iran blocks social media sites in an attempt to stop unrest from spreading as Google faces calls to lift restrictions on the country so millions of protesters can 'connect and organise' -- Daily Mail
