IRAN: Internal & External Factors At Play Amid Escalating Protests (1/2)

Comments from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are being reported as he delivers a televised address regarding the ongoing protests. Says that "There are some rioters who want to please the American president by damaging public property", but that Iran "won't back down in the face of vandalism". Says Iran will not "tolerate foreign-backed operatives". Says that President Donald Trump "should focus on running his own country". Claims that Trump "will be overthrown at the peak of pride, like past tyrants". 

• Khamenei calls on the Iranian youth to "Maintain your unity. Maintain unity; a unified nation will overcome any enemy.” Khamenei: "America's hands are stained with the blood of more than 1,000 Iranians, including leaders and innocent people. Iran is steadfast and will not back down one iota from its principles."
• The situation remains an extremely complex domestic and international political web.
• Internally, the protests stem from a number of issues. For some, it is anger over the state of the economy amid high inflation, goods shortages, and the collapse of the rial currency. In some regions, the perceived persecution of Kurdish, Azeri and Lor ethic minorities is another spark for protests. For a section of society, there is the long-held desire to see the return of the Iranian monarchy under the late Shah's son, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavai. Then there is what appears to be the largest segment of the protesters, those who oppose the hardline, theocratic and authoritarian nature of the Khamenei regime.