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In a significant development, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly acknowledged for the first time that thousands of people were killed during recent anti-government protests, as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate.
During a public address on Saturday, Khamenei admitted to the casualties while simultaneously blaming the United States for the unrest. According to BBC reporting, the Supreme Leader stated that some protesters died “in an inhuman, savage manner.” This rare acknowledgment comes as President Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric against the Iranian regime.
The protests, which began in late December over economic conditions, evolved into broader calls challenging Iran’s ruling system. The scope of the crackdown has been severe, with the U.S.-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency estimating that more than 3,000 people were killed over approximately three weeks of demonstrations.
Independent verification of the death toll has been hampered by nationwide internet shutdowns. According to cyber monitoring group NetBlocks, internet connectivity in Iran dropped to approximately 2% of normal levels during the height of the protests. Despite these restrictions, BBC Persian and BBC Verify have authenticated videos showing Iranian security forces firing directly on demonstrators.
The acknowledgment from Khamenei comes amid an increasingly heated exchange with Trump, who told Politico on Saturday that “it’s time to look for new leadership in Iran.” Trump’s statement followed a series of hostile posts from Khamenei’s X account that accused the American president of responsibility for the violence.
“What he is guilty of, as the leader of a country, is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before,” Trump stated, according to Politico. “Leadership is about respect, not fear and death.”
Trump further personalized his critique, describing Khamenei as “a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people” and characterizing Iran as “the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership.”
In recent weeks, Trump has publicly encouraged Iranians to continue protesting and to “take over institutions,” promising that “help is on its way.” The president later claimed he had received information that the killings had stopped, telling Politico, “The best decision he ever made was not hanging more than 800 people two days ago.”
Meanwhile, Khamenei has used social media to direct blame at the United States, writing on X, “We find the US President guilty due to the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation.” In another post, the Supreme Leader claimed that “America’s goal is to devour Iran.”
The exchange raises concerns about potential U.S. military involvement, with Trump recently stating he was considering “very strong options” in response to Iran’s actions. The situation represents one of the most significant challenges to the Iranian regime’s authority in recent years, with protests occurring across multiple cities despite the brutal crackdown.
The international community has been watching the developments closely, with human rights organizations condemning the violence against protesters. The unrest in Iran is unfolding against a backdrop of regional tensions, including Iran’s support for proxy groups across the Middle East and ongoing disputes over its nuclear program.
As the situation continues to evolve, the acknowledgment from Khamenei marks a rare moment of admission from a regime that has typically downplayed or denied casualties during periods of civil unrest. The State Department has not immediately responded to requests for comment on these developments.
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10 Comments
Trump’s calls for regime change in Iran are concerning and could further inflame tensions. While the crackdown was brutal, I’m not sure external pressure is the best way to promote positive change in Iran.
I agree. Regime change imposed from the outside rarely goes well. Iran needs to find its own path to reform and accountability.
Khamenei’s admission provides some transparency, but the true scale of the killings is still unclear. I hope the international community can push for an independent investigation to get a full accounting.
Yes, an impartial investigation is needed to shed light on the events and ensure accountability.
While I’m glad Khamenei acknowledged the deaths, his attempt to blame the US raises concerns. The protesters deserve justice and the Iranian people need real political and economic reforms, not more authoritarianism.
Absolutely. The root causes of the protests, like economic hardship, must be addressed through meaningful change, not more repression.
The suppression of protests and internet shutdowns in Iran are deeply troubling. I hope the global outcry leads to real change and protection of human rights, not just empty rhetoric.
Agreed. The Iranian government must be held accountable for its violent crackdown on protesters.
Tragic that thousands were killed during the protests in Iran. Khamenei’s admission is a rare acknowledgement, though his blaming the US is concerning. I hope the truth about the crackdown can be fully verified despite internet shutdowns.
Yes, the scope of the violence seems severe based on the reports. Independent verification is crucial to understand what happened.