Iran's judiciary announced on January 19, 2026, that it has identified key figures behind violent protests that erupted in late December 2025 and is preparing lawsuits against foreign governments allegedly involved. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir stated the unrest evolved into "terrorist acts" orchestrated through "sustained actions promoted by Western leaders," with alleged links to Israel's Mossad and U.S. intelligence agencies.
Authorities are distinguishing between misled citizens and organized operatives, while compiling evidence of foreign involvement during the June 2025 Iran-Israel conflict for submission to international courts. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of "criminal" responsibility for casualties and property damage, citing Washington's "maximum pressure" policy as a driver of economic hardships.
President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that any attack on Khamenei would trigger an "all-out war," claiming U.S.-Israeli plots had been defeated by national unity. The remarks follow Trump's recent threats of military action and calls for "new leadership" in Iran, escalating tensions rooted in sanctions and diplomatic clashes since his return to office.
