Iran's supreme leader admits thousands killed during recent protests
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly acknowledged that thousands of people were killed during recent protests, describing some deaths as occurring in an "inhuman, savage manner," and blamed the US for the unrest.
- The protests began on December 28 over economic issues but evolved into calls for the end of Khamenei's rule, with the government labeling demonstrations as enemy-backed riots and responding with deadly force.
- The death toll is reported to be at least 3,090 according to Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency, though some activist groups claim higher numbers; a near-total internet blackout has severely limited information flow.
- US President Donald Trump encouraged continued protests and threatened military intervention if Iranian security forces continued killing demonstrators,
