Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has declared that the Islamic Republic has “defeated” the United States following the violent protests that shook the country in late 2025 and early 2026. In a series of public statements, Khamenei accused Washington of orchestrating the unrest and vowed that the United States would be held accountable for its alleged role in fomenting sedition inside Iran.

The unrest began in late December, sparked initially by widespread economic grievances. Citizens took to the streets across major cities to protest high inflation, rising costs of essential goods, and persistent economic instability. Over time, however, these demonstrations evolved into broader anti-government protests, reflecting deep-seated frustrations over political repression and governance issues. Reports suggest that hundreds of people were killed during the clashes, including both security personnel and protesters. Authorities also reported significant damage to public infrastructure, including mosques, schools, and healthcare facilities.

According to Khamenei, the unrest was not a spontaneous eruption of domestic anger but a carefully planned campaign by foreign powers. In posts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on January 17, the Supreme Leader accused the United States and Israel of masterminding the protests. While he highlighted Israel’s involvement, Khamenei singled out Washington as the principal architect of the “sedition.”

“The US had made extensive preparations to orchestrate this sedition,” Khamenei wrote. “This sedition was a prelude to even bigger schemes. The Iranian nation defeated the US.” In his statements, he also alleged direct involvement by US President Donald Trump, citing Trump’s public messages of support........

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