Instability in Iran due to US–Israel strategic conspiracy: Khamenei

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the recent wave of unrest and protests across the country, describing the situation as a “carefully planned conspiracy” aimed at undermining the Islamic Republic. Breaking his relative silence on the issue, Khamenei made the remarks during a graduation ceremony for police cadets in Tehran, where he directly addressed the causes and consequences of the ongoing instability.

According to Khamenei, the disturbances currently gripping Iran are not the result of a spontaneous popular movement driven by ordinary citizens. Instead, he claimed they represent a calculated effort by Western powers to stall Iran’s political, economic and technological progress. He argued that hostile foreign actors have long sought an opportunity to exploit internal challenges and that recent events provided them with a convenient pretext.

Referring to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, which sparked widespread protests, Khamenei acknowledged that the incident was deeply tragic and caused genuine grief among Iranians. He said her death had touched the conscience of the nation and that sympathy for her family was universal. However, he strongly criticised the subsequent violence, arson and destruction of public and private property, insisting that such actions could not be justified under any circumstances.

Khamenei alleged that the United States and Israel had been waiting for precisely such a moment to inflame tensions within Iran. In his view, Amini’s death was used as a “shield” to mobilise unrest, spread insecurity and weaken the country from within. He portrayed the protests as part of a broader campaign involving foreign media outlets, intelligence services and opposition groups operating abroad.

During his address, the Supreme Leader praised Iran’s security forces, commending their role in maintaining order amid what he described as coordinated attacks on public safety and religious sites. He warned that individuals who disrupt daily life under the banner of protest are, knowingly or otherwise, advancing the agenda of Iran’s adversaries. Khamenei emphasised that the majority of Iranians remain committed to national unity and will not allow foreign-backed plots to succeed.

Concluding his speech, Khamenei issued a firm warning against external interference in Iran’s domestic affairs. He stated that any attempt to destabilise the country with foreign support would be met with decisive action. At the same time, he sought to reassure the public that the current unrest would not derail Iran’s long-term development, asserting that the nation has endured and overcome greater challenges in the past.

Key Points from Khamenei’s Address

The speech underscores the leadership’s continued framing of domestic unrest as a security threat driven by external forces, while reaffirming a hardline stance against dissent linked to foreign influence.