Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Has Lifted All Restraints On The Deliberate Killing Of Protestors By Stating That Iran's Islamic Regime Came To Power In 1979 'By Virtue Of The Blood Of Hundreds Of
MEMRI | Middle East Media Research Institute • • nation
Key Points:
- On January 9, 2026, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condemned nationwide protests as led by "rioters" and "fools" serving foreign enemies, signaling no retreat by the regime and effectively endorsing brutal suppression by security forces.
- Following Khamenei's speech, Iran experienced a severe crackdown including an internet blackout and a sharp rise in deaths, with official estimates at 5,000 and opposition sources claiming up to 12,000 or more casualties.
- Khamenei framed the protests as a foreign conspiracy orchestrated by the U.S., Israel, and former President Trump, dismissing protesters as mercenaries and denying they represent Iran’s youth, whom he praised as devout and loyal to the regime
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FFoods-You-Should-Buy-Every-Week-if-Youre-Taking-Ozempic-7bc85d310f074e0bacd33383c26fa41c.jpg?format=webp&w=1280)