IRAN CLERIC DEMANDS EXECUTION OF PROTESTERS, THREATENS TRUMP

A hard-line cleric leading Friday prayers in Iran’s capital demanded the death penalty for protesters detained in a nationwide crackdown and directly threatened the U.S. President Donald Trump, showing the hard-line rage gripping the Islamic Republic after the demonstrations.

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A hard-line cleric leading Friday prayers in Iran's capital demanded the death penalty for protesters

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami’s sermon carried by Iranian state radio sparked chants from those gathered for prayers, including: “Armed hypocrites should be put to death!” Executions, as well as the killing of peaceful protesters, had been two of the red lines laid down by Trump for possible military action against Iran over the protests.

Khatami's remarks also offered the first nationwide counts of damage done during the demonstrations, which began Dec. 28 over Iran’s ailing economy and soon morphed into demonstrations directly challenging the country’s theocracy.