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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed a gathering of students in Tehran on November 3, 2025, asserting that the government will stand firm in the face of ongoing protests following nearly two weeks of demonstrations fueled by inflation and economic hardship.
Crowds chanting “death to the dictator” set fire to government buildings and marched through major cities on Thursday evening in opposition to the regime. According to internet monitoring service Netblocks, authorities implemented a complete internet shutdown late Thursday, continuing into Friday morning in an effort to quell widespread unrest.
These protests mark one of the boldest challenges to Iran’s theocratic system in over 40 years, with demonstrators openly demanding an end to the Islamic Republic. Khamenei responded publicly for the first time since the protests intensified on January 3, denouncing protesters as “vandals” and “saboteurs” during a televised speech.
He accused U.S. President Donald Trump of having “blood of over a thousand Iranians” on his hands—an apparent reference to the U.S. support during Israel’s June military actions against Iran, which also involved American strikes. Khamenei predicted that Trump, whom he called “arrogant,” would be overthrown, likening him to the monarchy ousted in the 1979 revolution.
In a fiery address, Khamenei claimed, “Last night in Tehran, some vandals destroyed a building that belongs to the people to appease the U.S. president,” while supporters chanted “death to America.” He emphasized that the Islamic Republic was established through the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands and would not concede to sabotage.
Trump responded late Thursday, expressing that the desire to overthrow the regime is “incredible” and warning that if Iranian forces kill protesters, the U.S. would respond forcefully, stating, “We’re ready to do it.”
Witnesses and verified videos depict large crowds on Tehran’s Ayatollah Kashani Boulevard, with demonstrators chanting “death to the dictator,” referencing Khamenei’s long-standing rule since 1989. Similar protests took place in other cities, including Tabriz, Mashhad, and Kermanshah, as well as in central Iran.
Some footage showed protesters lighting fires at the regional branch of state television in Isfahan, and others set fire to a governor’s office in Shazand. These rallies are the biggest since the nationwide protests of 2022-2023, which erupted after Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody for allegedly violating dress codes.
Human rights organizations have reported security forces firing on protesters, resulting in dozens of deaths. However, recent footage from Tehran shows no visible security intervention during these demonstrations.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah and now based in the U.S., called for increased protests. In a video message early Friday, he highlighted that Thursday night’s demonstrations demonstrated how large crowds can force security forces to retreat, urging supporters to gather even more widely to undermine the regime’s repressive power.
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