Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused actors linked to the United States and Israel of responsibility for the deaths of “several thousands” of people during weeks of antigovernment protests across Iran.
Speaking on Saturday, Khamenei said the unrest, which lasted for more than two weeks, involved extensive violence and destruction that he attributed to foreign-backed forces. “Those linked to Israel and the U.S. caused massive damage and killed several thousands,” he said, according to Iranian state media.
Claims of Direct Foreign Involvement
Khamenei went further than in previous statements by accusing Washington and Tel Aviv of direct involvement in the unrest. He described U.S. President Donald Trump as a “criminal,” alleging that the latest protests differed from past episodes because of what he called the personal involvement of the American president.
“The latest anti-Iran sedition was different in that the U.S. president personally became involved,” Khamenei was quoted as saying.
Iranian officials have increasingly blamed foreign powers for the protests, accusing long-standing rivals — primarily the United States and Israel — of fuelling instability and directing actions on the ground.
Warning Without Escalation
While adopting a sharply confrontational tone, Khamenei said Iran would avoid escalating the crisis beyond its borders. However, he warned that those deemed responsible would ultimately face consequences.
“We will not drag the country into war,” he said, “but we will not allow domestic or international criminals to go unpunished.”
New Emphasis on Casualty Figures
Reporting via satellite from Tehran, Al Jazeera correspondent Resul Serdar Atas said Khamenei’s remarks largely reinforced Iran’s established narrative but introduced a significant new element: the scale of the alleged death toll.
“For the first time, he is giving a sense of the number of people killed,” Atas said, noting that Khamenei spoke of casualties in the thousands. Until now, Iranian officials had publicly acknowledged hundreds of deaths, including members of the security forces.
There is still no independently verified death toll. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has reported that around 3,000 people may have been killed, a figure higher than official Iranian statements in the past.
Atas said Khamenei’s claims partially align with assertions by some international rights groups, which have long argued that the true number of victims is far greater than officially disclosed.
Arrests, Damage and Official Narrative
Iranian authorities say about 3,000 people have been arrested in connection with the protests. Khamenei also accused demonstrators of widespread destruction, alleging that more than 250 mosques and medical facilities were burned during the unrest.
According to the government’s account, protests initially began peacefully in late December over rising prices and economic hardship. Officials say authorities initially acknowledged those grievances before claiming the demonstrations were later overtaken by violent groups allegedly directed and supported by foreign powers.
Iranian officials assert that those involved were “equipped, financed and trained” by outside actors, with Khamenei placing Trump “at the centre” of what he described as an international plot against Iran.
Gradual Restoration of Communications
Meanwhile, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Saturday that nationwide SMS services had been restored as part of a phased process following nearly eight days of severe internet disruption.
As tensions remain high, Khamenei’s remarks signal a hardened official stance, framing the unrest not only as a domestic challenge but as part of a broader confrontation with Iran’s geopolitical adversaries.