IRAN’S Supreme Leader has blasted protesters for “ruining the streets” and sucking up to Donald Trump – as he faces a spiralling uprising against the mullah regime.
It comes as the US president continues his threats to “hit iran hard” if Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s pawns kill peaceful demonstrators.
Outraged protesters have marched through the streets of Tehran over Thursday night as Khamenei’s theocracy hangs in the balance.
Quaking in his boots, the Iranian leader said: “Protesters are ruining their own streets to make the president of another country happy.”
The full extent of the damage is currently unclear due to Tehran cutting off the whole country from internet and international phone calls.
But despite the blackout, dramatic footage showed cars up in flames as the widespread clashes left at least 45 people dead.
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Bonfires and debris littered the streets as swarms of locals chanted slogans criticising the regime.
On Friday, Iranian state media broke its silence over the demonstrations.
Staring down the barrel of mob rule, they blamed “terrorist agents” from the US and Israel for lighting fires and sparking violence.
In a seething televised address, the Supreme Leader fumed that authorities would crack down on demonstrators as an audience shouted behind him: “Death to America!”
The US president on Thursday promised to “come to the rescue” if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters”.
Trump said: “If they do that, they’re going to have to pay hell.”
Protests over Iran’s flailing economy and its government have intensified steadily since December 28.
There is mounting speculation that the Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, whose father fled just before country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, could be part of a regime change.
Demonstrations have shouted cries in support of the shah – an act punishable by death.
At least 2,270 have been arrested in the demonstrations, according the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Pahlavi, who called for protests on Thursday night, has called for again for the country to rise up at 8pm on Friday.
When the clock struck 8pm on Thursday, neighbourhoods across Tehran erupted in chanting.
The cries included “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!”
Others hailed the shah, shouting: “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!”
Thousands could be seen on the streets prior to a total communications blackout in Iran.
Pahlavi said: “Iranians demanded their freedom tonight. In response, the regime in Iran has cut all lines of communication.
“It has shut down the Internet. It has cut landlines. It may even attempt to jam satellite signals.”
The last shah’s son called on European leaders to join Trump’s vow to “hold the regime to account”.
The exile said: “I call on them to use all technical, financial, and diplomatic resources available to restore communication to the Iranian people so that their voice and their will can be heard and seen.
“Do not let the voices of my courageous compatriots be silenced.”
Trump also suggested on Thursday that Khamenei, 86, may be looking to leave Iran – potentially to Russia.
“He’s looking to go someplace,” Trump said.
Iran’s protests and economic turmoil follow the 12-day war in June last year, where US forces bombed nuclear sites and Israel launched a wave of sophisticated operations.