Khamenei Blames US and Israel for ‘Thousands Killed’ During Iranian Protests

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating unrest in Iran, claiming that foreign-backed plots were responsible for the deaths of thousands of people during waves of anti-government protests.

In a public address, Khamenei said the protests that swept across Iran were not spontaneous but instead driven by what he described as hostile intelligence operations aimed at destabilizing the Islamic Republic. He alleged that Western governments and Israel provided financial, media, and logistical support to groups seeking to provoke violence and chaos inside the country.

Khamenei stated that Iran had faced an unprecedented level of coordinated pressure, combining street protests with economic sanctions and information warfare. According to him, security forces were compelled to respond in order to protect national stability, and he blamed foreign actors for escalating the unrest into deadly confrontations.

The Supreme Leader rejected accusations that Iranian authorities were responsible for large-scale civilian deaths, instead asserting that armed groups and foreign-influenced networks contributed directly to the loss of life. He praised Iran’s security forces for what he called restraint under extreme provocation and said the state had successfully defeated what he termed a major conspiracy.

The protests, which erupted over a range of political, economic, and social grievances, drew international condemnation over the handling of demonstrators and the reported death toll. Western governments and human rights organizations have accused Iranian security forces of excessive force, allegations that Tehran has consistently denied.

The United States and Israel have repeatedly rejected Iranian claims that they instigate internal unrest, describing the protests as the result of domestic dissatisfaction with governance and economic conditions. Both countries have accused Iran of deflecting responsibility by blaming external enemies.

Khamenei’s remarks come amid continued tension between Iran and Western nations, as well as heightened regional strain involving Israel. Analysts say the statements reflect Tehran’s longstanding narrative that foreign interference lies at the heart of internal dissent, even as international scrutiny of Iran’s human rights record remains intense.

Sources: Reuters, BBC News, Al Jazeera, Associated Press (AP)