TEHRAN — Iran’s supreme leader has for the first time publicly acknowledged that thousands of people were killed during recent protests, blaming the United States for the violence.
In a speech on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said thousands had been killed, “some in an inhuman, savage manner,” and accused the US of responsibility for the deaths, according to Iranian state media.
A violent crackdown on the unrest has claimed at least 3,090 lives, according to the US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), while some activist groups estimate the toll to be far higher. A near-total internet blackout has made independent verification difficult.
“Those linked to Israel and the US caused massive damage and killed several thousand,” Khamenei said. “We consider the US president criminal for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation.”
The protests began on Dec. 28 over economic grievances and later evolved into calls for an end to the rule of the supreme leader. Iranian authorities have described the demonstrations as “riots” backed by foreign enemies.
While reports of unrest have declined in recent days, limited access to communications has left the situation on the ground unclear.
During his speech, Khamenei also said Iran viewed US President Donald Trump as a “criminal” and claimed Washington must be held accountable for the unrest. He accused the US of seeking to undermine Iran, saying “America’s goal is to swallow Iran.”
Trump has not responded publicly to Khamenei’s remarks. The White House has been asked for comment.
The US State Department said Saturday it had received reports that Iran was considering targeting American bases, warning that any such action would be met with “a very, very powerful force.”
Trump said earlier this week he had been told that “the killing in Iran has stopped,” but added that military action had not been ruled out.
The comments followed reductions by the US and UK in personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar amid rising regional tensions. — Agencies
