Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, delivered a scathing condemnation, directly labeling U.S. President Donald Trump a “criminal” for his support of recent Iranian protesters. The accusation came amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions and a brutal crackdown on dissent within the nation.
In a televised address, Khamenei revealed a shocking casualty figure: “several thousand” deaths resulting from the protests that erupted on December 28th. This marked the first official acknowledgement from Iranian leadership regarding the scale of the bloodshed, painting a grim picture of the unrest and its suppression.
Khamenei fiercely accused Trump of actively inciting violence, recalling the President’s public encouragement of the demonstrators and offers of military support. He framed the protests not as a genuine uprising, but as a calculated attempt by the U.S. to seize control of Iran’s economic and political future.
The Supreme Leader described the protesters as mere “foot soldiers” of the United States, alleging they deliberately targeted sacred spaces like mosques and educational institutions. He claimed they were responsible for the deaths of thousands, further solidifying his narrative of foreign interference and internal sabotage.
The pronouncements followed a surprising shift in tone from President Trump, who had previously expressed support for the protesters. He stated that Iran had cancelled the planned execution of “over 800 people,” a claim lacking independent verification, but signaling a potential de-escalation of the conflict.
Earlier, Trump had offered words of encouragement to the Iranian people, promising assistance and threatening action if the violence continued. This initial stance now appeared to be softening, leaving the future of U.S. policy toward Iran uncertain.
Khamenei asserted that the protesters were armed with weaponry smuggled in from abroad, though he refrained from naming specific countries. He emphasized that while Iran does not seek war, it will relentlessly pursue those responsible for the unrest, both domestically and internationally.
An uneasy calm has descended upon Iran following the severe suppression of the protests, which were initially sparked by economic hardship. Reports indicate at least 3,090 fatalities, a number exceeding previous instances of unrest in Iran and echoing the turmoil of the 1979 revolution.
While Iranian officials consistently blame the U.S. and Israel for instigating the unrest, independent verification of the death toll remains challenging. A U.S.-based human rights organization, relying on a network of Iranian activists, has consistently reported the high number of casualties.
Brief glimmers of connectivity returned to Iran on Saturday, with text messaging and limited internet access restored in some areas. This partial restoration, occurring after a complete internet blackout, may be linked to the resumption of business activity as the Iranian work week begins.
Despite a call from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for renewed protests, there were no visible demonstrations in Tehran. Pahlavi, a figurehead for monarchists abroad, has struggled to gain widespread support within Iran, though he continues to position himself as a potential leader in a post-revolutionary Iran.
