Thousands Dead in Iranian Unrest: Supreme Leader Blames U.S. as UN Condemns “Horrific Violence”

Getting clear information from inside the country remains difficult due to a near-total internet and telecommunications shutdown.

RMN News Political Desk
New Delhi | January 18, 2026

TEHRAN / GENEVA – In an unprecedented public admission, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has acknowledged that thousands of people were killed during recent nationwide protests, even as international pressure mounts over the government’s “brutal” response to the unrest.

Khamenei Blames Foreign Interference

During a speech on Saturday, Khamenei admitted to the massive death toll, stating that some victims were killed in an “inhuman, savage manner”. However, rather than taking responsibility for the crackdown, the Supreme Leader blamed the United States and Israel for the casualties, claiming that those linked to these nations caused “massive damage”.

Khamenei further labeled U.S. President Donald Trump a “criminal” and insisted that America must be held accountable for the “slander” and damage inflicted on the Iranian nation. He also claimed via social media that the ultimate goal of the United States is to “swallow Iran”.

A Nation in Economic and Social Crisis

The protests originally erupted on December 28, 2025, triggered by a catastrophic economic collapse. Key drivers included skyrocketing inflation and the Iranian rial falling to a record low of 1.4 million to the U.S. dollar. What began as a shopkeeper strike in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar quickly evolved into a nationwide movement across more than 100 cities, with citizens demanding fundamental changes in governance.

The human cost of the unrest has been staggering:

• The U.S.-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports 3,090 lives have been claimed.
• The United Nations reports thousands have been arrested and several hospitals are currently overwhelmed by casualties, including children.
• Security forces have been documented using deadly force, with authenticated footage showing them shooting at demonstrators.

UN Human Rights Chief Decries “Brutal Force”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed “horror” at the mounting violence. He condemned the Iranian government’s practice of labeling peaceful protesters as “terrorists” to justify state violence, emphasizing that Iranians have a fundamental right to demonstrate for fairness and justice.

Türk also raised alarms regarding reports that judicial officials may use the death penalty against protesters through expedited legal proceedings. He called for an immediate end to the killings, stating that this “cycle of horrific violence cannot continue”.

Information Blackout and International Tension

Getting clear information from inside the country remains difficult due to a near-total internet and telecommunications shutdown. On a recent Saturday, connectivity was monitored at only about 2% of ordinary levels. While some local residents suggest security forces are maintaining control on the ground, the situation remains volatile.

The international community is on high alert. While President Trump recently urged demonstrators to “keep protesting,” the U.S. State Department warned that any Iranian attempt to target American bases would be met with “a very, very powerful force”. In a move described as a “precautionary measure,” both the U.S. and UK have already reduced personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar.