He accused them during a televised speech of instigating violent protests that erupted earlier this month after the announcement of massive fuel price hikes.

Speaking to tens of thousands of people holding signs with anti-U.S. slogans in Tehran’s Revolution Square, Gen. Hossein Salami accused the U.S., Britain, Saudi Arabia and Israel of fueling the deadly unrest.

“We have shown restraint. … We have shown patience towards the hostile moves of America, the Zionist regime (Israel) and Saudi Arabia against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said. “If you cross our red line, we will destroy you. We will not leave any move unanswered.”

The protests against a massive rise in fuel prices and a slash in government subsidies have further divided many Iranians and their religious regime. The country has seen an economic decline since the U.S. restored sanctions after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated during the Obama administration.

Many have complained of the inability to obtain jobs, travel abroad and soaring food prices and the cost of living. Some Iranians have seen their once middle-class lifestyle reduced to day-to-day struggles to stay afloat.

At least 143 people have been killed since Nov. 15, according to Amnesty International. The human-rights group accused Iranian security forces of using firearms against unarmed protesters from rooftops and helicopters.

“The rising death toll is an alarming indication of just how ruthless the treatment of unarmed protesters has been by the Iranian authorities and reveals their appalling assault on human life,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty’s research and advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Some demonstrators have accused the government of torturing those who’ve been arrested and detained.

Iran has cut off internet access for several days to quell the unrest, making it difficult for groups to ascertain the extent of the violence on the ground. Authorities said banks and government offices have been set on fire and more than 1,000 people have been arrested.

During Monday’s rally, speakers called for capital punishment for rioters and further restrictions on social media. Some also criticized President Hassan Rouhani’s administration for the way the fuel hike was implemented.

He promised the hike would fund new subsidies for poor families.

Gasoline in Iran remains among the cheapest in the world, with the new prices jumping 50 per cent to a minimum of 15,000 rials per litre. That’s 12 cents a litre, or about 50 cents a gallon. By comparison, a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. costs $2.59.

The teen, who couldn’t be named for legal reasons, allegedly assaulted 52-year-old Peter Duncan outside a bakery shop at Old Eldon Square in Newcastle, North Umbria Police said in a statement.

Duncan received a single puncture wound to his chest inside the doors of the shopping center, police previously said. He was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.

“He was a devoted father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend and loved by all who knew him,” Duncan’s family said in a statement. “His death will leave such a huge hole in our lives and he’ll be deeply missed by us all.”

The unnamed teen was additionally charged with possession of an offensive weapon and theft, police said. He is set to appear in court Monday.

The investigation saw a total of eight teenagers arrested, police said. Three of the teens, ages 14, 15 and 17, were released under investigation. Four other teens were released without further action.

Northumbria Police Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Ged Noble, called this an “extremely difficult time” for the family and thanked the public for their patience during the investigation.

“We know that these types of incidents can have a big impact on the local community,” he said. “I want to reassure the public and businesses that we are doing all we can to prevent incidents of this tragic nature and ensure people feel safe.”

England and Wales have seen 43,516 attacks with knives or sharp instruments over a 12-month period ending in March 2019, the BBC reported. In 2018, there were 285 reported deaths from knife offenses.