PARIS: Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday said authorities "must break the back of the seditionists," blaming the US for "casualties" after a crackdown on protests against the country's clerical leadership.
Authorities have said demonstrations they condemn as "riots" are under control, with state-aligned media reporting thousands of arrests and officials vowing swift punishment for those detained.
"By God's grace, the Iranian nation must break the back of the seditionists just as it broke the back of the sedition," Khamenei told supporters during an address marking a religious holiday, aired by state television.
"We do not intend to lead the country to war, but we will not spare domestic criminals," he added, saying that "international criminals" were "worse" and would also not be spared punishment.
Iranian authorities have blamed the US for fueling a "terrorist operation" that they say hijacked peaceful protests over the economy.
