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Iran's Leader Blames Trump for Thousands of Deaths in Protests

KVIA•Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 12:59 AM•CNN Newsource

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AI Summary

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, admitted that over 3,000 Iranians were killed during recent anti-government protests, attributing the violence to U.S. President Donald Trump's encouragement of demonstrators. In a televised address, Khamenei labeled Trump a 'criminal' for his role in the unrest, which began in late December due to economic discontent. While Khamenei condemned the protests, he failed to address the violent tactics used by Iranian security forces. The Iranian government has arrested over 24,000 protesters, with some potentially facing the death penalty. Amidst the unrest, internet connectivity in Iran remains severely limited, although there have been slight improvements recently.

Key Details: • Khamenei claims over 3,000 deaths due to protests, blaming foreign influence. • More than 24,000 protesters have been arrested; some face potential execution. • Internet connectivity in Iran has improved slightly but remains at about 2% of normal levels. • Khamenei called for unity to defend the Islamic system amid economic difficulties.

human-rights trump protests iran khamenei

People & Organizations

Donald TrumpAyatollah Ali KhameneiIranAbbas Araghchi

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