Iran’s supreme leader has publicly acknowledged for the first time that thousands of people were killed during the recent nationwide protests, marking a rare admission amid one of the most violent crackdowns the country has seen in decades.
Speaking on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said thousands had died, describing some of the killings as “inhuman” and “savage”. He blamed the United States for the bloodshed, accusing Washington of fueling unrest and causing widespread destruction.
Human rights groups say the death toll is staggering. The US based HRANA agency has confirmed at least 3,090 deaths, while other activist networks believe the real number is far higher. A near total internet blackout has made it extremely difficult to verify information or track events on the ground.
US President Donald Trump recently urged Iranian protesters to continue demonstrating and warned of possible military action if security forces kill civilians. Khamenei responded by accusing individuals linked to the US and Israel of causing “massive damage” and killing “several thousand”, calling the American president “criminal” for the casualties and suffering inflicted on Iran.
The protests, which erupted on December 28 over economic hardship, have since evolved into direct calls for an end to Khamenei’s rule. The government has dismissed the demonstrations as foreign backed “riots”.
Security forces have responded with deadly force. Verified videos show officers firing on crowds, and communication services remain heavily restricted. Internet connectivity across Iran is still at roughly two percent of normal levels, according to monitoring group NetBlocks.
Reports of unrest have slowed in recent days, but with the blackout still in place, the true situation inside the country remains uncertain.
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