Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami is a hardline senior Iranian cleric and prayer leader. He is newsworthy due to his recent calls for the execution of protesters detained during a nationwide crackdown in Iran. These calls were made during a Friday sermon broadcast on Iranian state radio, where he described protesters as “armed hypocrites” and “soldiers” of the US and Israel. His statements reflect the hardline stance of some within the Iranian regime in response to widespread unrest and demonstrations challenging their authority. Khatami's remarks are significant because they highlight the severity of the government's response to the protests and the potential for further escalation, especially in light of international attention and threats of intervention from the US.