Khamenei Admits Thousands Killed in Iran Protests, Labels Trump a “Criminal”

By Lions Roar News World Desk

TEHRAN, IRAN (Monday, January 19, 2026) — In a stunning and unprecedented admission, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has officially acknowledged for the first time that thousands of people have been killed during the wave of anti-government protests sweeping the nation.

International media reports suggest the death toll has reached at least 5,000, a figure that includes approximately 500 security personnel. The admission marks a significant shift in the regime’s rhetoric, which had previously sought to downplay the scale of the unrest.

⚠️ A Gruesome Admission

Speaking via state media today, Khamenei described the loss of life as immense, acknowledging that many deaths occurred in an “inhumane and brutal” manner. While he did not provide a specific official count to match independent reports, his use of the word “thousands” confirms the deadliest period of civil unrest in the Islamic Republic’s recent history.

🇮🇷 The Blame Game: U.S. and Israel Targeted

Despite admitting to the carnage, the Supreme Leader remained defiant, shifting the responsibility for the violence onto foreign powers.

• Foreign Sabotage: Khamenei claimed that individuals linked to the United States and Israel had caused significant damage to the country and were the true architects of the fatalities.
• Donald Trump Labeled a “Criminal”: Directing his anger at Washington, Khamenei declared that U.S. President Donald Trump is considered a “criminal” for the damage inflicted upon the Iranian nation.
• National Sovereignty: The Supreme Leader argued that the protests were not organic but were instead a coordinated effort by enemies to destabilize Iran.

📊 Protests by the Numbers (Estimated)