A shocking revelation has emerged from Iran's highest authority, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admitting that thousands of Iranians lost their lives during the recent protests. In a bold statement, he directly blamed former US President Donald Trump, labeling him a 'criminal' responsible for the casualties and damage caused during the anti-government demonstrations.
Khamenei's speech, broadcast to the nation, ignited a firestorm of controversy. He accused Trump of openly encouraging the protesters, promising them US military support, and thereby inciting the unrest. However, he conveniently omitted any mention of the brutal tactics employed by Iran's security forces in quelling the protests, including reports of government forces opening fire on protesters in the streets and from rooftops.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 3,000 people have been killed in the unrest, a figure that CNN has been unable to independently verify. In his address, Khamenei categorized the protesters as either being supported, funded, and trained by the US and Israel, or as naive young individuals manipulated by these forces. He claimed that these young people were responsible for damaging various public facilities, including power industry sites, mosques, educational institutes, banks, medical facilities, and grocery stores.
The Iranian government has consistently blamed 'foreign' agents for the deadly protests, without providing any evidence to support these claims. Khamenei stated, 'By harming the people, they (the 'rioters') killed several thousand of them. Some were killed with a force that was inhuman... completely savagely.' He further asserted that these actions were part of a pre-planned seditious blueprint.
In a previous interview with Fox News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had disputed the reported death toll of 'thousands,' claiming it was actually in the hundreds. However, in his speech, Khamenei declared that the US must be held accountable for its role in the protests.
Trump, for his part, had actively encouraged the protesters to continue their demonstrations and 'take over' the country's institutions, assuring them of US support. He responded swiftly to Khamenei's accusations, referring to him as a 'sick man' and calling for new leadership in Iran. In an interview with Politico, Trump accused Khamenei of the 'complete destruction of the country' and the use of violence on an unprecedented scale.
Khamenei, in his speech, acknowledged the difficult economic situation in Iran but called for unity in defending the Islamic system. He urged government officials to redouble their efforts in supplying essential goods and commodities. Citing pro-government rallies across Iran, Khamenei claimed that the protests had been extinguished.
Amid the violent crackdown on the protests, the Iranian government shut off internet connections on January 8, but there was a slight rise in connectivity on Saturday morning, according to NetBlocks. Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that the internet had been restored to some subscribers, citing 'terrorist unrest' and the need to ensure the security of the country and its citizens as the reasons for the shutdown.
In his address, Khamenei vowed consequences for those who participated in the 'riots,' but did not specify the nature of these punishments. He stated, 'We will not lead the country into war, but we will not let go of the domestic criminals and, more importantly, the international criminals. This matter must be pursued using our own methods and the correct approach.'
According to HRANA, more than 24,000 protesters have been arrested, a figure that CNN has been unable to independently verify. There are mounting fears for the fate of some protesters, as Tehran's prosecutor has indicated that some could face the death penalty for their actions. However, there have been conflicting reports, with the State Department stating that Iranian authorities planned to execute one protester, Erfan Soltani, but his family later said his execution was postponed, and Trump claimed to have received assurances that there were no plans for executions in Iran. Iran's judiciary, on the other hand, denied that Soltani had been sentenced to death.
In his interview with Fox News, Iran's foreign minister also indicated that there were no plans to hang protesters. Trump, when asked about the potential for a US military operation in Iran, praised Khamenei for not hanging more than 800 people two days ago. Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi, in response to Trump's comments, neither confirmed nor denied an intention to execute that many people, stating that their response would be firm, deterrent, and swift.
This ongoing situation raises many questions and concerns, with differing perspectives and interpretations. What are your thoughts on this complex and controversial issue? Feel free to share your opinions and engage in a respectful discussion in the comments section.
