Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, acknowledged Saturday that thousands of Iranians were killed throughout greater than two weeks of unrest in the nation — deaths he blamed on US President Donald Trump, who he stated “openly encouraged” the protesters by promising them US “military support.”
In a speech to the nation that was described on his web site, Khamenei known as Trump a “criminal” accountable “both for the casualties and the damage” in the course of the anti-government protests that broke out in late December, initially sparked by public anger over dire financial circumstances.
Khamenei, 86, made no point out of the brutal tactics of Iran’s safety forces in quelling the protests. Witnesses and human rights teams have described authorities forces opening fireplace on protesters in the streets and from rooftops. More than 3,000 individuals have been killed in the unrest, in keeping with the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). NCS can’t independently confirm this determine.
In his televised tackle Saturday, Khamenei stated the “rioters” concerned in the unrest fell underneath two classes: individuals supported, funded and educated by the US and Israel, and younger individuals influenced by them. The latter, he stated, were “naive individuals whom the ringleaders manipulated.” He stated these younger individuals broken energy business amenities, mosques, academic institutes, banks, medical amenities and grocery shops.
The Iranian authorities has typically blamed “foreign” brokers for the lethal protests in the nation, with out offering proof.
“By harming the people, they (the ‘rioters’) killed several thousand of them,” Khamenei stated.
“Some were killed with a force that was inhuman … completely savagely,” the Iranian leader continued. “These actions were part of the sedition’s pre-prepared blueprint.”
Earlier in the week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed back in opposition to the reported demise toll of “thousands,” telling Fox News’ Bret Baier that the quantity was really in the tons of and that recommendations in any other case were a part of a “misinformation campaign.”
In his Saturday speech, Khamenei declared that “the US must be held accountable.”
During the unrest, Trump encouraged protesters to maintain up the demonstrations and “take over” the nation’s establishments, assuring them that “help is on its way.”
“We consider the US President a criminal, both for the casualties and damage, and for the slander he leveled against the Iranian nation,” Khamenei stated, in keeping with a translation of speech excerpts on his web site.
Trump responded swiftly, calling for brand spanking new management in Iran and referring to Khamenei as a “sick man” who ought to “run his country properly and stop killing people.”
In a Saturday morning interview with Politico, Trump stated Khamenei is responsible, “as the leader of a country,” of “the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before.”
“In order to keep the country functioning — even though that function is a very low level — the leadership should focus on running his country properly, like I do with the United States, and not killing people by the thousands in order to keep control,” Trump stated.
The supreme leader acknowledged in his speech that Iran’s financial scenario is “truly difficult” however known as for individuals to unite “in defending the Islamic system and beloved Iran.” He known as on authorities officers to redouble their efforts in supplying important items, livestock feed and different important commodities.
Citing Monday’s pro-government rallies throughout Iran, Khamenei claimed Saturday that the protests have been “extinguished.”
Amid the protests that were met with a violent crackdown by safety forces, the Iranian authorities shut off web connections on January 8. But on Saturday morning, there was a “slight rise” in connectivity, in keeping with cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks.
“Overall connectivity remains at (about) 2% of ordinary levels and there is no indication of a significant return,” NetBlocks added in a statement on X.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency reported Saturday that the web has been restored to “some subscribers,” saying the shutdown was enacted as a result of what it described as “terrorist unrest” and to “ensure the security of the country and its citizens.”
Some worldwide landline calls and native textual content messages additionally gave the impression to be working once more, a Tehran resident instructed NCS on Saturday. Internet connection itself stays patchy in the nation, the resident stated.
In the Saturday tackle, Iran’s supreme leader vowed penalties for individuals who took half in the “riots” however didn’t elaborate on what their punishments could be.
“We will not lead the country into war, but we will not let go of the domestic criminals and — more importantly — the international criminals,” he stated. “This matter must be pursued using our own methods and the correct approach.”
More than 24,000 protesters have been arrested, in keeping with HRANA. NCS can’t independently confirm that determine.
But fears mounted for the destiny of some protesters after Tehran’s prosecutor stated final week that a few of them might face the death penalty for his or her actions, in keeping with semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
Earlier in the week, the State Department stated Iranian authorities deliberate to execute one protester, Erfan Soltani. His household later stated his execution was postponed, and Trump stated he had obtained assurances that there was no plan for executions in Iran. Iran’s judiciary, although, stated Soltani had not been sentenced to demise.
In his interview with Fox News, Iran’s international minister additionally indicated that there were no plans to hold protesters.
“The best decision he ever made was not hanging more than 800 people two days ago,” Trump stated of Khamenei on Saturday when requested by Politico concerning the potential for a US army operation in Iran.
In response to Trump’s feedback, Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi neither confirmed nor denied an intention to execute that many individuals. “Our response is firm, deterrent and swift,” he instructed Iranian state media.
“At present, a large number of cases have resulted in indictments and have been referred to the courts,” he stated.