Iran’s leader calls Donald Trump a ‘criminal’ for backing protests

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the protests had left ‘several thousand’ people dead (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Iran’s Supreme Leader has branded US President Donald Trump a “criminal” for supporting protesters in Iran, and blamed demonstrators for causing thousands of deaths.

In a speech broadcast by state television on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the protests had left “several thousand” people dead – the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties from the wave of protests that began on December 28 and led to a bloody crackdown.