Main killers: Iran security chief brands Trump and Netanyahu as architects of unrest
Diplomatic tensions escalate as Iran formally accuses the US at the UN of destabilizing the nation. This geopolitical standoff has led to cancelled meetings, intensifying the crisis amidst a staggering human cost.
New Delhi: The geopolitical standoff between Washington and Tehran has reached a boiling point as Iran’s top security officials explicitly named US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the primary culprits behind the bloody unrest currently sweeping the Islamic Republic.
The "killers" list: Larijani strikes back on social media
The verbal escalation began shortly after President Trump took to social media to urge Iranian demonstrators to "take over" government institutions. In a swift and pointed response on X (formerly Twitter), Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and former parliament speaker, named two leaders as killers.
"We declare the names of the main killers of the people of Iran," Larijani posted. "1- Trump. 2- Netanyahu."
Larijani’s statement reflects the regime's stance that the internal uprising is being systematically fueled by "foreign hands" in Washington and Tel Aviv.
Diplomatic warfare at the United Nations
As the rhetoric intensified, Iran moved the battlefield to the international stage. Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s UN Ambassador, dispatched a formal letter to the UN Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
In the document, Iravani accused the United States of "inciting violence" and "political destabilisation," labelling Trump's public encouragement of the protesters a direct threat to Iran’s national security and sovereignty. The letter explicitly holds the US and Israel responsible for the deaths of civilians, specifically highlighting the loss of life among the nation's youth.
A staggering human cost
While Tehran blames foreign interference, human rights monitors are painting a grim picture of the domestic crackdown. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the death toll from the anti-government demonstrations has now climbed to at least 2,403 people.
The casualties include a heartbreaking demographic. At least 12 victims under the age of 18, according to a HRANA spokesperson. The scale of the state’s response is further evidenced by the arrest figures, with at least 18,137 individuals reportedly detained nationwide since the protests ignited.
Meetings cancelled amid chaos
The diplomatic fallout has had immediate consequences. President Trump has officially Anti-government protests persist in Iran | Key developments so far, citing the "deaths of protesters" as the reason for the withdrawal. This move effectively shutters any remaining channels for de-escalation as both sides dig in—one calling for a revolution, the other branding world leaders as murderers.