Iran's supreme leader breaks silence on Amini protests, blames US following Sunday clash

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed the United States for the protests sparked by 22-year-old Mahsa Amini's death as the country cracks down on protestors.

Khamenei also condemned protesters for ripping off their hijabs and setting mosques, banks and police cars on fire. The leader proceeded to say the actions "are not normal, that are unnatural," while stating that "those who foment unrest to sabotage the Islamic Republic deserve harsh prosecution and punishment." Haley Chi-Sing is a Fox News Digital production assistant. You can reach her at @haleychising on Twitter.

Iran began cracking down on universities and students nationwide, with hundreds of young people and students arrested Monday at the country's top technology university following an hours-long standoff with police.