Tehran, 9 January 2026 (dpa/MIA) – Iran's supreme leader has sharply condemned the nationwide anti-regime protests, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denouncing "troublemakers" and people who are "harmful to the country" in a speech published Friday.

"There are also people whose work is destruction," he said. They cause destruction "just to make the president of the United States happy," the head of state said, referring to Donald Trump.

The US president has repeatedly threatened the Iranian leadership with intervention should demonstrators be killed.

On Thursday evening, Iran experienced the largest demonstrations since the start of the current wave of protests erupted at the end of December.

The Iranian security apparatus has completely shut down the internet for the population for more than 14 hours.

Khamenei hinted at a harsh crackdown by the security forces. "The Islamic Republic came to power with the blood of several hundred thousand honourable people," the Iranian state broadcaster, which published Khamenei's speech on Telegram, quoted him as saying.

"The Islamic Republic will not yield to those who act destructively. It does not tolerate mercenary services for foreigners," he said.

Reports of numerous deaths

Meanwhile, reports of numerous deaths are increasing, after security forces allegedly opened fire on demonstrators on Thursday.

Unverified videos on social networks show blood-soaked young people on the floor of a building in a suburb near Tehran after a rally.

The state broadcaster reported on demonstrations that were "infiltrated by terrorist elements," and said that several people had lost their lives on Thursday.

Flights cancelled

Several Turkish airlines have temporarily suspended flights to Iran due to "regional developments," Anadolu news agency reported.

Pegasus cancelled flights for Friday, while Turkish Airlines cancelled flights for Friday and Saturday to Tehran, Mashhad and Tabriz.

Iranian judiciary vows 'maximum' punishment for protesters

The head of Iran's judiciary has threatened to impose severe punishment on protesters involved in the unrest that has gripped the country for days.

"The punishment of rebellious and disruptive elements will be decisive, maximum and without any legal leniency," Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei was quoted as saying by Iran's state radio.