More protests erupt in Iran as supreme leader accuses crowds of 'trying to please Trump'

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More anti-government protests erupt in Iran for a 13th day in a row, as the country's supreme leader lashes out at people demonstrating on the streets.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate power in Iran, dismisses protesters as "a bunch of vandals" trying to "please" US President Donald Trump, who threatened to "hit" Iran "very hard" if government forces kill protesters.

The protests, which began in Tehran on 28 December, were sparked by the collapse of the Iranian currency.

"People are becoming bolder now," one 29-year-old tells the BBC: "I went to buy some groceries and people were speaking out loud against the regime in the daylight!".

Meanwhile, a nationwide internet blackout is seemingly still in place, with some Iranians abroad saying they've been unable to contact their families.

The BBC and most other international news organisations are barred from reporting inside Iran, so social media is relied upon to verify what is happening on the ground.

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Iran

Protests

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

US President Donald Trump