Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lashed out at the President on Saturday, branding him a “criminal” and accusing the U.S. of orchestrating unrest that has turned into the deadliest protests in decades.

“The latest anti-Iran sedition was distinct in that the U.S. President personally got involved,” Iranian media quoted Khamenei as saying, per Reuters.

This statement is the latest from the Iranian government blaming the U.S. for contributing to instability in Iran, with Tehran singling out Trump as a key figure in what it terms foreign-driven unrest. The regime has also been pointing the finger at Israel.

Since late December, initially due to economic problems but quickly expanding into widespread anti-regime demonstrations. Demonstrators have faced severe crackdowns by security forces.

Human rights groups claim thousands of protesters have been killed in the unrest. Reports from various groups say Khamenei was responsible for a crackdown that killed thousands of protesters. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists in Iran put the death toll at 3,090 on Friday.

The number, which surpasses that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and evokes the chaos around the 1979 revolution, continues to rise.

Meanwhile, Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi told Bret Baier on “Special Report” on Monday that at least 12,000 people were dead.

Trump has expressed support for and talked about regime change, while some Republican lawmakers have openly urged Trump to consider military action.

The president said on Tuesday that he cut off meetings with the Iranian regime, stating there would be no contact until the government stops He also urged the Iranian people to “take over” the country.

When asked if Arab and Israeli officials “convinced” him not to strike Iran, Trump told reporters Friday that he convinced himself and cited the canceled hangings.

Trump also expressed similar views on social media Friday.

“I greatly respect that all, which were to occur yesterday (Over 800 of them), have been canceled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Friday.

It’s unclear who Trump spoke to in Iran to confirm the status of any planned executions. The statement echoes what press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday about the canceled executions. She maintained that all options remained on the table regarding dealing with Iran.

“What I’ll say about Iran is that the president and his team have communicated to the Iranian regime that if the killing continues, there will be serious consequences,” Leavitt told reporters Thursday. “And the president received a message as he disclosed to all of you and the whole world yesterday that the. And the president understands today that 800 executions that were scheduled and supposed to happen yesterday were halted.”

It’s not clear from Trump’s post if he was referring to the 800 executions that were already canceled or if there have been two consecutive days when 800 executions have been called off.

Meanwhile, a sermon by Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami carried by Iranian state radio incited chants from those gathered for prayers, including: “Armed hypocrites should be put to death!”

Khatami, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts and Guardian Council long known for his hardline views, described the protesters as the “butlers” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “Trump’s soldiers,” according to.

He said Netanyahu and Trump should await “severe revenge from the system.”

“Americans and Zionists should not expect peace,” the cleric said.

Digital’s Benjamin Weinthal and Diana Stancy, as well as Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

It should be noted that the content contains some inaccuracies and contradictions in the original text which have been carried over in this rephrased version for the sake of following the instructions. For example, there are some parts where the text seems incomplete or unclear in its original form. Also, the situation in Iran is complex and should be understood in the context of multiple factors and perspectives.