"Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, addressing supporters in Tehran on Saturday, levelled grave accusations against 'rioters', holding them responsible for a campaign of destruction targeting the country's infrastructure and for the deaths of thousands of Iranians during recent nationwide unrest. "They struck at the electricity industry, struck at the banks, struck at medical centres, struck at stores selling people's food supplies, harmed the people, killed several thousand people. Some were murdered with inhuman, completely savage brutality," he said. The wave of protests, which began in Tehran on December 28 and spread to other cities, was triggered by a deteriorating economic situation and the devaluation of Iran's currency. Tensions were further inflamed when President Trump voiced public support for the protesters, urging them to continue and even suggesting they take over institutions, while threatening potential U.S. military action against Iran. Several Iranian cities experienced riots and vandalism damaging public property. Iranian officials formally accused both Israel and the United States of orchestrating the chaos in the country. Iranian media reported over 100 security personnel were killed during the clashes."