Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has broken his silence on the protests

Gripping the country, blaming the US and Israel for what he described as “planned riots.”Speaking at a military graduation ceremony in the capital, Mr Khamenei said the protests were planned and not staged by “ordinary Iranians,” blaming the unrest on foes US and Israel.”

I say clearly that these disturbances and insecurities were designed by America and the usurping and fake Zionist regime,” he said in the speech.

It is the first time he has addressed the protests which have swept across the country following the death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini while in police custody.