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Khamenei Acknowledges ‘Several Thousand’ Dead in Iran Protests as Trump Calls for New Leadership

Khamenei’s rare admission follows weeks of an internet blackout that obscures casualty counts.

Overview

  • Iran’s supreme leader said thousands were killed during the unrest and labeled President Donald Trump a “criminal,” blaming the United States and Israel for the bloodshed.
  • Rights monitors report thousands of verified deathsIran Human Rights lists 3,428 and HRANA reports more than 3,700 — while a Reuters-cited Iranian official claimed at least 5,000.
  • Connectivity remains largely cut after the January 8 shutdown, with NetBlocks measuring about 2% of normal access despite brief, limited restorations.
  • Authorities have detained tens of thousands, with HRANA confirming more than 24,000 arrests, and prosecutors signaling mohareb charges that can carry the death penalty.
  • Trump urged protesters to continue and said Iran needs new leadership, as Tehran’s leaders warned of a harsh response to any US strike and claimed the protests were driven by foreign-backed “rioters.”