Iran is a ‘mighty tree’ that can’t be uprooted

Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that no one should dare think they can uproot the Islamic Republic, in his toughest warning to protesters since Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody ignited nationwide unrest now in its fourth week.

Demonstrations by people from all walks of life, after the Iranian Kurdish woman’s death following her arrest for “inappropriate attire”, have evolved into widespread calls for the downfall of Khamenei and the Islamic Republic.

The protests mark one of the boldest challenges to clerical rule since the 1979 revolution, even if the unrest does not seem close to toppling the system.

Khamenei compared the Islamic Republic to an unshakeable tree. “That seedling is a mighty tree now and no one should dare think they can uproot it,” he said on state TV.

He has accused the country’s enemies, including the US and Israel, of fomenting the “riots”.

Rights groups say more than 200 people have been killed in the crackdown, including teenage girls. Amnesty International said at least 23 children have died.

Despite Khamenei’s stern warning, demonstrators took to streets across Iran again yesterday.

Shopkeepers went on strike in Amini’s hometown Saqez, in Kurdistan province, and Mahabad in West Azerbaijan, according to the 1500tasvir social media channel that monitors protests and police violations.

Youths were also seen demonstrating at universities in Tehran, Isfahan and Kermanshah, in footage widely shared online.

The women-led protests have won support from the US president.

“I want you to know that we stand with the citizens, the brave women of Iran,” Joe Biden said late Friday.

“It stunned me what it awakened in Iran. It awakened something that I don’t think will be quieted for a long, long time,” he said.

The crackdown has drawn international condemnation and sanctions on Iran from Britain, Canada and the United States.