British News Agency

Iran also sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council, accusing the United States of turning the protests into “violent destructive acts and widespread vandalism.” Meanwhile, Trump said Iran is “in big trouble.”

The protests, now in their 13th day, erupted over the economy and turned into the biggest protests in years, prompting calls for an end to the Islamic Republic and, in some quarters, for the restoration of the monarchy.

According to human rights groups, at least 48 protesters and 14 security personnel were killed.

Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump said, “We’ll hit them very hard where it hurts most,” adding that his administration is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and that any U.S. intervention would not mean the presence of “ground troops.”

“It seems to me that the people are taking over some cities that just a few weeks ago no one really thought was possible,” he said.

Khamenei maintained a defiant tone in a televised speech on Friday.

The 86-year-old Khamenei said, “Let everyone know that the Islamic Republic came to power with the blood of hundreds of thousands of honorable people and will not back down in the face of those who deny that.”

Later, in a speech to supporters gathered and broadcast on state television, Khamenei further hardened his stance, saying Iran “will not shy away from fighting destructive elements.”

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that since the protests began on December 28, more than 2,277 people have been arrested in addition to the 48 protesters killed.

The Norway-based Iran Human Rights Organization (IHRNGO) said at least 51 protesters, including nine children, were killed.