Iran’s leader Khamenei says US and Israeli connections played a role in the killing of thousands amid unrest
The country’s highest authority alleged that protests fueled by outside support inflicted major damage and killed many thousands.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that actors linked to the United States and Israel were responsible for the killing of “thousands” of people during weeks of anti-government protests in the country.
“Those linked to Israel and America caused massive damage, and thousands of people were killed during the protests that have rocked Iran for more than two weeks,” Khamenei said on Saturday.
He accused both countries of direct involvement in the violence and called US President Donald Trump a “criminal.” “The recent anti-Iranian sedition was different in that the US president was personally involved in it,” Iranian state media quoted him as saying.
Iranian authorities have increasingly blamed foreign powers for the unrest, accusing long-standing geopolitical rivals—primarily Israel and the US—of fomenting instability and directing operations on the ground.
Khamenei warned that Iran would avoid escalating tensions beyond its borders, but those responsible would face consequences. “We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished,” he said.
Reporting by satellite from Tehran, Resul Sardar Atas said Khamenei’s remarks largely reinforced Iran’s long-held narrative but also presented an important new claim about casualties.
Khamenei alleged greater US involvement in the recent unrest compared to previous instances. Atas added, “He said that in previous protests, the Americans had less involvement, but this time, the US president was a key figure in this international conspiracy against Iran.”
However, what stood out was the alleged death toll. Atas said, “One thing that is new in his speech is that for the first time, he is actually giving an estimate of the number of people killed.” He added, “He is saying that violent protesters have killed thousands of people.”
There is no confirmed death toll yet, although the US-based rights group HRANA says that more than 3,000 people have been killed in the protests.
To date, Iranian authorities have publicly acknowledged hundreds of deaths, including members of the security forces.
Khamenei’s claim marks the first time a top official in the country has spoken of thousands of casualties.
Atas said that this claim, at least in part, aligns with the claims of some international human rights groups. He said, “They are saying that the number of deaths is far higher than the number being publicly acknowledged by the authorities.”
Iranian authorities also say that nearly 3,000 people have been arrested in connection with the protests.
Atas said that Khamenei also accused the protesters of widespread vandalism, including “burning down more than 250 mosques and medical facilities.”
According to the official Iranian account, peaceful protests began in several Iranian cities on December 28 over rising prices and economic hardship.
“The government was acknowledging their demands and their grievances,” Atas said, adding that authorities now claim the protests were later “hijacked by violent rioters who were receiving orders from outside forces.”
Iranian officials claim those involved were provided with “equipment, financing, and training” by foreign actors, and Khamenei placed Trump “at the center of this conspiracy.”
The semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Saturday that authorities have restored short messaging service (SMS) across the country under a phased plan, after an almost complete internet shutdown that lasted for eight days.
