17.01.2026 19:07
Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement regarding the protests that have shaken the country, directly targeted U.S. President Donald Trump by holding Israel and the U.S. responsible for the events. Khamenei also publicly acknowledged for the first time that thousands of people have lost their lives during the protests.
The religious leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, publicly acknowledged for the first time that thousands of people have died during the recent protests across the country. Khamenei's statements, made while addressing the public in Tehran, were considered a significant turning point in the language used by the Iranian government until now. Khamenei pointed to Israel and the United States as responsible for the deaths.
"THEY CAUSED THE DEATHS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE"
In his speech, Khamenei described the protests as "sedition" and claimed that groups connected to Israel and the United States incited the events. Khamenei stated, "Those connected to Israel and the United States caused great damage during the protests that lasted more than two weeks and shook Iran, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people."
DIRECTLY ACCUSED TRUMP
Khamenei, targeting U.S. President Donald Trump, argued that Washington was behind the protests. He said, "The last sedition was an American sedition. The goal of the U.S. was to swallow Iran. We hold the U.S. President guilty for the harm he has caused to the Iranian people, the loss of lives, and the slanders he has directed."
"WE WILL NOT DRAG THE COUNTRY INTO WAR"
Khamenei stated that Iran does not want to escalate tensions beyond its borders, yet emphasized that those responsible will not go unpunished. He said, "We will not drag the country into war, but we will not allow local or international criminals to go unpunished," delivering a strong message.
INTERNET RESTRICTIONS PARTIALLY EASED
It was reported that the internet blackout imposed during the protests in the country has been partially lifted today. Iranian media announced that internet and SMS services have been restored in some areas. The internet monitoring group NetBlocks stated that after the approximately 200-hour blackout, there was a limited increase in connectivity, with access reaching only 2% of normal levels.
OFFICIAL FIGURE: 3,090 CASUALTIES
It was reported that during the protests in the country, security forces, including protesters and civilians, resulted in the deaths of 3,090 people. Khamenei's explicit acknowledgment of these casualties for the first time was interpreted as a notable change in the official narrative regarding the events in Iran.