Iran has been engulfed in unrest over the past few weeks, as anti-government protests have swept the nation.
Videos circulating online show buildings in flames, violent clashes with security forces, and demonstrators calling for major political change.
Amid this turmoil, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has publicly acknowledged that thousands of people were killed during the demonstrations, a figure far higher than the hundreds previously reported by Iranian officials.
Khamenei Blames Foreign Powers
In a Saturday speech broadcast by state media, Khamenei blamed the unrest on foreign interference, claiming that the United States and Israel orchestrated the protests to destabilize Iran.
“Those linked to Israel and the US caused massive damages and killed several thousands,” he said, adding that US President Donald Trump played a direct role in what he described as “foreign-backed sedition.”
Khamenei labeled Trump a “criminal” responsible for both the casualties and the damage inflicted on Iran.
“We consider the US president guilty, both for the casualties, for the damages, and for the slander he made against the Iranian nation,” Khamenei said, stressing that the goal of the US was to “swallow Iran.”
Chants and Nationalistic Fervor
During the speech, attendees repeatedly chanted slogans such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” reflecting the fiery nationalism of the gathering.
Khamenei warned that while Iran would avoid a broader war, those he blamed—including the US and Israel—would face consequences.
He referenced past seditions, asserting that foreign interference, often from “second-rate American or European politicians,” had long been a recurring threat to the country.
Conflicting Reports on Death Toll
While Khamenei spoke of thousands of deaths, independent verification of the figures remains limited.
US-based rights group HRANA estimates that approximately 3,000 people have died during the protests.
Human rights organization Iran Human Rights reports more than 3,400 deaths since the demonstrations began in late December, highlighting the scale of the crackdown.
Regional Tensions and US Military Concerns
Khamenei’s remarks coincided with heightened regional tensions, following threats from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against US forces.
The IRGC claimed it had identified a hotel in Qatar used by senior American commanders, prompting evacuations of US personnel from several Middle Eastern bases over fears of retaliation.
A Telegram post linked to the IRGC warned US commanders to “watch your heads,” though the threat level was later reduced after Trump held off military action following Tehran’s announcement that protester Erfan Soltani would not face a death sentence.
Calls for Targeted International Action
In Washington, Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, urged US intervention to weaken the regime’s security apparatus, specifically the Revolutionary Guards, whom he described as the “main source of repression.”
Pahlavi suggested that international support should focus on sanctions, blocking the clerical leadership’s assets, and aiding communication channels for those defecting from government forces.
Pahlavi emphasized that foreign troops were unnecessary: “The Iranian people’s boots are already on the ground. They are the ones marching, sacrificing and fighting for their freedom every single day.”
He also promised that a democratic Iran under his leadership would pursue peaceful relations with neighboring countries, including Israel, which he visited in 2023.
International Response and Ongoing Unrest
The unrest, which began over economic hardships and the collapse of Iran’s currency, has evolved into widespread calls for the fall of the clerical establishment.
European nations—including Britain, France, Germany, and Italy—have summoned Iranian ambassadors to protest the government’s crackdown.
As the situation remains volatile, the world continues to watch closely.
With thousands of lives lost and tensions between Iran, the US, and regional powers rising, questions linger about what steps will be taken next and how the crisis may reshape the region.
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