Iran has witnessed a considerable number of casualties during the recent unrest that started on December 28, escalating into a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities.
Ayatollah Khamenei accused the US President of supporting the rebellious individuals, stating that the US aims to control Iran’s economic and political resources. He labeled the US President a criminal for the harm caused to the nation.
The Ayatollah blamed the protesters for being aligned with the United States, alleging that they had vandalized places of worship and educational institutions. He also attributed the deaths of “several thousand” individuals to those involved in the civil unrest.
The protests initially erupted due to economic concerns in late December, triggered by the government’s decision to end currency subsidies that had previously helped stabilize prices amidst a high inflation rate. Reports indicated a significant death toll of 2,435 protesters and 153 security personnel, with over 18,470 arrests made by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
There are conflicting reports on the actual death toll, with some sources suggesting it could be as high as 10,000, surpassing the casualties seen during the 1979 revolution that established the current regime in Iran.
President Trump called for the end of Ayatollah Khamenei’s long-lasting rule, criticizing the leadership and human rights situation in Iran. He mentioned a recent cancellation of planned executions in Iran and hinted at a possible shift away from military actions.
Ayatollah Khamenei claimed that the rioters were armed with foreign-imported live ammunition and emphasized that while Iran does not seek war, it will not tolerate domestic or international offenders disrupting the peace.
After the severe suppression of protests in late December, Iran has returned to a state of uneasy calm. Iranian officials have accused the US and Israel of instigating the unrest, with President Pezeshkian alleging foreign interference in a conversation with Russian President Putin.
There have been no recent signs of protests in Tehran, with daily life resuming a sense of normalcy. Iranian state media has not reported any new disturbances in the past few days, indicating a temporary lull in the unrest.