Khamenei Blames Trump Amid Iran Unrest Deaths

Iran’s leader accuses Trump of fueling protests as regime admits thousands killed, amid ongoing international pressure.

Khamenei Blames Trump for Unrest as Iran Admits Thousands Killed

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly accused Donald Trump of fueling nationwide unrest, warning that “international and local criminals will not go unpunished,” as the regime for the first time acknowledged that thousands of protesters were killed during the recent crackdown.

Speaking at a religious event and in posts on X, Khamenei claimed the protests were orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel and accused Washington of responsibility for the deaths, while insisting Iran would not be dragged into war. His remarks came amid mounting international pressure, U.S. sanctions, and reports from rights groups estimating more than 2,800 protesters killed and tens of thousands arrested since protests erupted in late December over the economy and regime rule.

Trump, who has repeatedly urged Iranians to keep protesting and warned of possible U.S. action, responded by calling for new leadership in Iran, accusing Khamenei of destroying the country through repression and mass violence. While the regime claims the killings have slowed, widespread internet blackouts, mass burials, and eyewitness accounts suggest the crackdown remains one of the bloodiest challenges to Iran’s leadership since 1979.