In a significant admission, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has publicly recognized that thousands have lost their lives during the recent protests that have swept the nation. In a speech delivered on Saturday, he described the nature of some of these fatalities as “inhuman, savage” and attributed the unrest to external influences, particularly the United States.
According to the US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the death toll stands at approximately 3,090, although some organizations suggest that the actual number could be even higher. The ongoing internet blackout in Iran has severely hampered accurate reporting, leaving many details of the situation shrouded in uncertainty.
Protests escalate against leadership
The protests, initially sparked on December 28 over economic grievances, have evolved into widespread calls for an end to Khamenei’s rule. The Iranian government has dismissed these demonstrations as “riots” fueled by external adversaries. Eyewitness accounts and verified videos have shown the brutal response from security forces, including firing upon protesters.
Internet connectivity in Iran remains critically low, with current access at about 2% of normal levels, according to cyber-monitoring organization NetBlocks. While reports of protests have diminished in recent days, the lack of communication services makes it challenging to ascertain the current situation on the ground. A resident from Shiraz noted to BBC Persian, “security forces are still patrolling on motorbikes to keep the situation under control, but overall things have gone back to normal.”
International tensions rise
During his address, Khamenei characterized President Trump as a “criminal” and insisted that the US must be “held accountable” for its role in the unrest. He further claimed on various social media platforms that “America’s goal is to swallow Iran.” As tensions escalate, Trump has encouraged Iranian protesters to continue their demonstrations and warned of potential military intervention if security forces continue to resort to violence.
In a statement, the US State Department indicated that it had received intelligence suggesting that Iran may be considering targeting American military bases. It warned that should Iran proceed with such an attack, it would encounter a “very, very powerful force.” Trump has stated that he had been informed that “the killing in Iran has stopped,” but he did not dismiss the possibility of military action against Iran. This comes as the US and UK have reduced personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, a maneuver officials described as a “precautionary measure.”
“America’s goal is to swallow Iran.”