A senior Iranian cleric has reignited international concern by calling for the death penalty for protesters detained during a nationwide crackdown, as widespread unrest in Iran continues to draw global attention. The fiery statement underscores the severity of the ongoing conflict between the Islamic Republic and dissidents demanding political change.

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, a hard-line religious leader and member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts and Guardian Council, delivered the controversial remarks during Friday prayers in Tehran. The sermon, broadcast on Iranian state radio, urged that detained demonstrators should face execution — language that reportedly sparked chants of “Armed hypocrites should be put to death!” from worshippers present.

Khatami has long been known for his uncompromising rhetoric and alignment with Iran’s conservative clerical establishment. In the recent sermon, he described anti-government protesters as “servants” of foreign leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The cleric warned that “Americans and Zionists should not expect peace,” signaling Tehran’s deepening hostility toward external critics.

Context of Unrest

The protests began on December 28, 2025, initially triggered by economic distress, including inflation, soaring food prices and widespread frustration with government corruption. What began as demonstrations over economic hardship quickly evolved into a broader movement challenging Iran’s theocratic rule. Rights groups estimate thousands of deaths related to the crackdown — the most significant unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution — though exact figures vary.

Alongside calls for harsh punishment, Iranian authorities have claimed widespread damage from the protests, including to mosques, prayer halls, hospitals and emergency vehicles, a narrative used by state media to justify increased security measures.

International Reactions and Red Lines

The cleric’s remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tension. Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously threatened potential U.S. intervention should executions of detained protesters occur, labeling such actions a “red line.” Although Trump’s administration signaled possible punitive measures, it stopped short of committing to military action.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also publicly criticized protesters, accusing them of acting at the behest of foreign adversaries and denouncing the unrest as a destabilizing influence engineered by external forces.

The international community remains deeply divided. Human rights organizations have condemned the Iranian government’s approach to dissent, highlighting the use of severe punishment and broad arrests. Meanwhile, Tehran maintains its narrative that protests represent foreign interference and threats to national security.

What’s Next

As protests have reportedly eased in some urban centers, the broader dispute over political legitimacy and human rights persists. The Iranian government continues to enforce strict control over information, including intermittent internet blackouts, complicating independent verification of events on the ground.

The cleric’s call for executions — and the global response it has provoked — highlights the deep fissures between Tehran’s leadership and international actors, with implications that extend beyond Iran’s borders into regional diplomacy and human rights discourse.