Iran's Supreme Leader Acknowledges Protest Casualties in Shocking Admission

Sun Jan 18 2026 14:27:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant speech, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admitted that thousands were killed during recent protests, blaming the unrest on external forces including the United States.

Following a wave of protests in Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei publicly acknowledged for the first time that thousands have been killed, attributing the violence to external adversaries. As activists report significant death tolls and ongoing internet blackouts, the government continues to call the protests 'riots' incited by its enemies. U.S. President Donald Trump has also weighed in, urging protesters to continue their demonstration against the regime.

Iran's supreme leader has for the first time publicly acknowledged that thousands of people were killed during recent protests.

In a speech on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said thousands had been killed, some in an inhuman, savage manner, and blamed the US for the deaths.

A violent response to the unrest has claimed 3,090 lives, according to US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), with some activist groups putting the death toll far higher. An internet blackout has made it extremely difficult to get clear information.

US President Donald Trump recently urged Iranian demonstrators to keep protesting and threatened military intervention if security forces kill them.

Those linked to Israel and the US caused massive damage and killed several thousand, Khamenei said, quoted by Iranian state media.

We consider the US president criminal for the casualties, damages, and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation.

The protests, which began on 28 December over the economy, have turned into calls for the end of the rule of Iran's supreme leader.

The Iranian government has called the demonstrations riots backed by Iran's enemies.

Protesters have been met with deadly force and videos of security forces shooting at demonstrations have been authenticated by both BBC Persian and BBC Verify.

There has also been a near-total shutdown of the internet and communication services in Iran. On Saturday overall connectivity remained at about 2% of ordinary levels, according to cyber monitor NetBlocks.

During his speech on Saturday, Khamenei also said Iran considered President Trump to be a criminal and said the US must be held accountable for recent unrest.

He also claimed on social media that America's goal is to swallow Iran.

The US state department has stated it has heard reports that the Islamic Republic is preparing options to target American bases and warned Tehran not to play games with President Trump.