A hard-line Iranian cleric leading Friday prayers in Tehran demanded the death penalty for protesters detained during the nationwide unrest and directly threatened US President Donald Trump, highlighting the regime’s growing anger following the demonstrations, reports AP.
Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami’s sermon, broadcast by state radio, sparked chants from the congregation including, “Armed hypocrites should be put to death!” Executions and the killing of protesters had been two of the red lines set by Trump for potential military action against Iran.
Khatami also provided the first nationwide figures on damage caused during the protests, which began on Dec. 28 over economic hardship and quickly escalated into a challenge to Iran’s theocratic rule.
He claimed 350 mosques, 126 prayer halls, 20 other religious sites and 80 homes of Friday prayer leaders were damaged.
He added that 400 hospitals, 106 ambulances, 71 fire department vehicles, and 50 other emergency vehicles were affected.
Appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a member of both the Assembly of Experts and Guardian Council, Khatami described the protesters as “Trump’s soldiers” and “the butlers of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” warning of “harsh revenge from the system.”
Khatami, known for his hard-line stance, previously upheld a fatwa calling for the death of writer Salman Rushdie and threatened Israel in 2018, saying Iran could “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground.”
He also urged the arrest of anyone supporting the rioters in any way.
Since Jan. 8, Iran has restricted internet access and intensified its crackdown, with the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reporting at least 2,677 deaths, though the toll has not been independently verified.
