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 former U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Tehran, calling for new leadership in the country.
Khamenei made the remarks during a public address on Saturday, attributing the unrest and ensuing violence to U.S. interference. He said that some protesters had died “in an inhuman, savage manner,” according to reporting from the BBC.
The protests erupted in late December initially over worsening economic conditions, but quickly grew into broader demonstrations calling for an end to Iran’s ruling system. Human rights groups estimate that the crackdown has left thousands dead. The U.S.-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported that more than 3,000 people were killed over approximately three weeks of unrest, though Iranian authorities have not confirmed any official death toll.
Independent verification of the figures has been hampered by nationwide internet disruptions. According to data from the cyber monitoring group NetBlocks, connectivity across the country fell to roughly 2% of normal levels during the height of the protests. Videos authenticated by BBC Persian and BBC Verify depict Iranian security forces firing on demonstrators.
Trump, speaking to Politico on Saturday, strongly criticized Khamenei and the Iranian government. “It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran,” Trump said, after being shown posts from Khamenei’s X account accusing him of being responsible for the unrest.
“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 added. “Leadership is about respect, not fear and death.”
The former president went further in personal terms, calling Khamenei “a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people.” Trump also described Iran as “the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership.”
Trump has repeatedly encouraged Iranians to continue protests, urging them to “take over institutions” while promising that “help is on its way,” according to Politico. He later claimed that he had been informed the killings had stopped. Regarding potential U.S. military action, Trump stated, “The best decision he ever made was not hanging more than 800 people two days ago,” reflecting his view on de-escalation.
In response, Khamenei has publicly accused Trump of responsibility for the unrest. In a series of posts on X, the Iranian leader wrote, “We find the US President guilty due to the casualties, damages, and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation.” He added that “The US’s goal is to devour Iran,” reinforcing Tehran’s longstanding narrative of U.S. hostility.
In recent days, Trump suggested that he was considering “very strong options,” including possible military involvement, though he did not provide specifics. Analysts note that any military action would carry high risks given Iran’s regional influence and the potential for escalation with U.S. allies in the region.
The exchange between Khamenei and Trump underscores the heightened tensions surrounding Iran’s internal unrest and the international scrutiny of its government’s response. While the protests have slowed, questions about accountability for the violence remain, with human rights groups calling for independent investigations into the reported deaths and excessive use of force.
As Iran continues to grapple with economic hardship and political dissent, the recent events highlight the fragile balance between domestic stability and international pressure. The world is closely watching how Tehran manages both the ongoing public discontent and escalating U.S. rhetoric, which could shape the country’s political trajectory in the coming months.
