The #BlackLivesMatter Campaign Just Got an Unlikely Supporter

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is using the controversy in Ferguson to blast the U.S. on issues ranging from “crimes” against Iran to the historical oppression of Native Americans and colonialism, using the hashtags #BlackLivesMatter and #NativeLivesMatter.

In a series of tweets over the past few days, Khamenei invoked the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre in which at least 150 Native Americans were killed by U.S. troops in order to make his point that Western culture is "aggressive."

Wherever westerners went, they destroyed local culture, history and language. https://t.co/CEZgOkjpqU #WoundedKnee pic.twitter.com/VmnCYxTOlI

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) December 29, 2014

Western culture is an aggressive one.Wherever Westerners went, they destroyed local culture, history& language. #NativeLivesMatter 10/14/12

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) December 29, 2014

Was it not colonialists who killed Native Americans& enslaved millions of Africans?Are these American values? #Ferguson #WoundedKnee 3/18/02

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) December 29, 2014

Khamenei tied in the “BlackLivesMatter” call with Jesus while he purported to be speaking out in defense of the “oppressed.”

It's expected that followers of #Jesus follow him in his fight against arrogants and in his support for the oppressed. #BlackLivesMatter

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir)

December 28, 2014

#Jesus endured sufferings to oppose tyrants who had put humans in hell in this world& the hereafter while he backed the oppressed. #Ferguson

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) December 28, 2014

Some who commented on the tweets pointed out Iran’s dismal human rights record and its persecution of gays and religious minorities.

.@khamenei_ir Do not lecture my country's values as yours murders people for being gay. #tcot #p2 https://t.co/7nxTCjK9LQ

— Eric Grant (@ericgrant) December 29, 2014

Iran experts believe the Twitter feed is legitimate and is run by Khamenei’s office.

Featured image: AP Photo/Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader.