Dhaka, Jan 19 (V7N) — Tehran has issued a stern warning that any attack on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be tantamount to a direct declaration of war, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday (January 18). The warning was widely reported by international media, including The Guardian. (The Guardian)

Pezeshkian wrote on social media that “an attack on the great leader of our country means a full-scale war against the Iranian nation,” framing the threat in the context of heightened tensions with the United States and recent internal unrest. (Anadolu Ajansı)

He also blamed longstanding US sanctions and hostility for Iran’s economic hardships, asserting that external pressure has contributed to the difficult conditions facing ordinary Iranians. (The Indian Express)

Context of Protests and Tensions

Iran has seen weeks of widespread protests that began on December 28, 2025, over economic issues including inflation, currency devaluation and unemployment. The demonstrations quickly evolved into broader anti-government unrest. Human rights groups and activist agencies report thousands of deaths in the government’s crackdown and tens of thousands of arrests, though official figures vary and are difficult to independently verify. (AP News)

Supreme Leader Khamenei himself acknowledged that “several thousand” protesters have been killed during the unrest and accused the United States and Israel of instigating the violence, calling foreign involvement a key factor behind the crisis. (AP News)

US-Iran Rhetoric and Risks of Escalation

The warning from Tehran comes amid a sharp exchange of rhetoric with former US President Donald Trump, who in a recent interview urged an end to Khamenei’s nearly four decades of leadership. Iranian officials have interpreted such comments as interference in their internal affairs. (The Guardian)

Analysts say tensions between Iran and the United States have reached new highs, with both sides exchanging harsh verbal warnings. There is concern among regional observers that any misstep — especially one involving the supreme leader — could trigger a wider conflict in the already volatile Middle East.

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