A shocking revelation has emerged from Iran's highest authority, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admitting to the deaths of thousands of Iranians during a period of unrest. He boldly places the blame squarely on former US President Donald Trump, claiming he "openly encouraged" the protests, which initially stemmed from economic grievances.
In a speech that has sent shockwaves across the globe, Khamenei described Trump as a "criminal" responsible for the casualties and damage caused during the anti-government protests. He accused Trump of promising military support to the protesters, a move that, according to Khamenei, led to the tragic loss of lives.
But here's where it gets controversial... Khamenei's speech conveniently omitted any mention of the brutal tactics employed by Iran's security forces in quelling the protests. Eyewitnesses and human rights groups have reported government forces opening fire on protesters, yet Khamenei remains silent on this matter. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), over 3,000 people have lost their lives in the unrest, a figure that CNN cannot independently verify.
Khamenei further divided the protesters into two categories: those supported, funded, and trained by the US and Israel, and the naive young individuals influenced by them. He claimed these young people were manipulated and caused damage to various facilities, including power plants, mosques, and banks. The Iranian government has a history of blaming "foreign" agents for such protests, without providing any substantial evidence.
"By harming the people, they killed several thousand," Khamenei stated, adding that some deaths were "inhuman" and "savage." He believes these actions were part of a pre-planned sedition.
In a recent interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disputed the reported death toll of thousands, claiming it was in the hundreds. He accused others of spreading misinformation.
Khamenei's speech also called for holding the US accountable, with Trump encouraging protesters to take over the country's institutions and assuring them of help on the way. Khamenei considers Trump a criminal for his role in the casualties and damage, as well as for his slander against the Iranian nation.
Trump, in a swift response, called for new leadership in Iran and referred to Khamenei as a "sick man" responsible for the country's destruction and use of violence. He urged the leadership to focus on governing properly and not killing thousands to maintain control.
Despite the economic difficulties, Khamenei called for unity in defending the Islamic system and Iran. He acknowledged the country's challenges but urged government officials to prioritize essential goods and livestock feed.
Khamenei claimed the protests have been extinguished, citing pro-government rallies across Iran. However, the violent crackdown by security forces and the internet shutdown on January 8 paint a different picture. While connectivity has slightly improved, it remains at a mere 2% of ordinary levels, according to NetBlocks.
Consequences for those involved in the "riots" were vowed by Khamenei, but the nature of these punishments remains unclear. He stated, "We will not let go of the domestic criminals and, more importantly, the international criminals."
Over 24,000 protesters have been arrested, according to HRANA, and fears of the death penalty for some protesters have mounted. Tehran's prosecutor has suggested the possibility of capital punishment for certain protesters, a claim that has been disputed by the State Department and Iran's judiciary.
In a recent interview, Iran's foreign minister indicated there were no plans to hang protesters, a statement that Trump seized upon, praising Khamenei for not hanging more than 800 people. Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi, however, neither confirmed nor denied these intentions, stating that their response would be firm, deterrent, and swift.
The fate of the protesters remains uncertain, and the international community watches with bated breath, awaiting the next move in this complex and tragic situation. What do you think? Should the US be held accountable, as Khamenei suggests? And what about the role of Iran's leadership in this crisis? The world is waiting for your thoughts in the comments below.
