Iran Protests: Here Are 5 Facts You Need to Know

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Tuesday, January 02, 2018

Iranian Leader Blames 'Enemies' Rather Than Economy

This file photo shows Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei smiles while attending an official meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri (not pictured) in Tehran November 29, 2010. | (Reuters/Khamenei.ir)

For his part, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that the blame for the protests come not from economic woes or government policies but rather from the nation's enemies.

"The enemy is waiting for an opportunity, for a flaw, through which they can enter. Look at these events over the last few days," said Khamenei.

"All those who are against the Islamic Republic — those who have money, those who have the politics, those who have the weapons, those who have the intelligence — they have all joined forces in order to create problems for the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution."