Tehran/Washington/Global: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly acknowledged for the first time that “several thousand” people were killed during recent nationwide protests, marking a rare admission amid the regime’s brutal crackdown. The protests, which erupted in late December over economic hardship and political grievances, escalated into broader anti-regime demonstrations.
In a televised address on Saturday, Khamenei described some casualties as resulting from “inhuman, savage” conditions but deflected blame toward foreign actors, particularly the United States. He accused US President Donald Trump of encouraging the unrest, calling him a “criminal” for supporting the demonstrations from afar. Khamenei maintained that authorities would hold “criminals” accountable, blaming foreign powers rather than Iranian security forces for the violence.
Trump responded sharply to Khamenei’s comments, calling for a change in Iran’s leadership. In an interview with Politico, Trump condemned the clerical regime’s actions, describing Khamenei as “unfit to lead” and criticizing the use of extreme violence against civilians. “Leadership is about respect, not fear and death,” Trump said. “His country is the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s daily life shows signs of returning to normal in Tehran and other major cities, though tensions remain high. Khamenei continued to accuse the US on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “The recent sedition was orchestrated by the US. The US’s goal is to devour Iran.”
Former Iranian Nuclear Negotiator Urges Diplomacy
Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian diplomat and key nuclear negotiator, cautioned against military action, warning that it could destabilize the entire Middle East. He noted that while Iran’s domestic situation has stabilized, underlying structural problems remain. Mousavian dismissed the possibility of imminent US strikes, calling Washington’s attempts to “collapse Iran through unrest” a failure that wasted billions of dollars.
He urged both nations to pursue direct, meaningful dialogue, emphasizing that diplomacy is the only viable path to peace. Mousavian stressed that limited US strikes would intensify hostility, while large-scale action could endanger the stability of the region and American partners. He also recommended that Iran use the current calm to address economic hardship, corruption, unemployment, and governance issues.
Global Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
The international community has strongly condemned the crackdown. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand expressed condolences following the death of a Canadian citizen during the protests, calling for an immediate end to violence. A joint statement from Australia, Canada, and the European Union praised the bravery of Iranian protesters while condemning killings, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation.
Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Oman, have reportedly urged Washington and Tehran to avoid military confrontation. Sources cited by CBS News described a 72-hour diplomatic push to reduce inflammatory rhetoric and discourage attacks, warning Iran of repercussions for any counterstrikes.
Meanwhile, the US redeployed a carrier strike group to the Middle East, and certain personnel at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar were advised to take precautionary measures. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia also urged personnel to exercise caution and limit non-essential travel to military installations.
Protests and Humanitarian Impact
The protests began on December 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar in response to the rial’s record fall and worsening economic conditions, including water shortages, power outages, rising unemployment, and inflation. According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency, at least 2,677 deaths have been confirmed, with 1,693 more cases under review. Over 19,000 people have been detained, and thousands have suffered serious injuries as protests continue into the 19th day. (ANI)
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