KATHMANDU: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged that thousands of people have died during recent nationwide protests, an unusual admission from the Iranian leadership amid widespread international criticism over the harsh crackdown.
Speaking on television Saturday, Khamenei said that the demonstrations, which began in late December due to economic hardship and broad political dissatisfaction, resulted in the deaths of “several thousand” people. While he attributed some of the deaths to “inhumane and cruel conditions,” he avoided blaming Iranian security forces directly, instead pointing to the United States and other foreign powers as responsible. Khamenei accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of inciting the protests, labeling him a “criminal.”
Khamenei described the unrest as initially driven by rising prices and cost of living, but later evolving into anti-government demonstrations. He asserted that protesters were being used by foreign powers and warned that “criminals” would not be allowed to act with impunity.
Human rights organizations estimate that over 3,000 people were killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces, though repeated internet shutdowns have made it difficult to verify exact figures.
Responding to Khamenei’s statements, Trump said it was “time for new leadership” in Iran. In an interview with Politico, he held Khamenei responsible for the violence and called him unfit to lead. “As a country’s leader, he has utterly destroyed his nation and used unprecedented levels of violence,” Trump said. “Leadership should be based on respect, not fear and death.” He also described Iran as one of the world’s worst countries to live in due to weak leadership.
Meanwhile, Khamenei repeated his accusations against the United States on social media platform X, claiming that the current uprising was planned by America to weaken Iran. “The current rebellion was orchestrated by the U.S. Its goal is to crush Iran,” he wrote.
Despite the unrest and heavy security response, international media report that life is gradually returning to normal in Tehran and other major cities after several weeks of protests and crackdowns.
