Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, recently accused the U.S. president of inciting unrest within Iran. He claimed that the president personally encouraged those involved in the upheaval, asserting, “We back you, including militarily.”

Khamenei reiterated his long-standing belief that the United States aims to control Iran’s economic and political affairs.

“We view the U.S. president as a criminal due to the harm caused, the casualties incurred, and the baseless accusations leveled against the Iranian people,” he declared.

He went on to describe the demonstrators as “foot soldiers” of the U.S., accusing them of vandalizing mosques and educational institutions.

“They have inflicted harm on the populace, resulting in the deaths of several thousand,” he stated.

Despite these accusations, Khamenei has not shied away from positioning himself as a potential transitional leader, should the current Iranian government collapse.

Police arrested 14 people for disorder, with some being injured.