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Iran’s top leader has released his first public statement following nationwide protests that led to thousands of people being killed.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, Iran has been rocked by nationwide protests that initially erupted on December 28 over worsening economic conditions fueled by western sanctions. What began as demonstrations led by traders and working-class citizens quickly evolved into broader anti-government protests, with many calling for regime change, marking the most serious challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution. The government responded with a brutal crackdown, deploying security forces that human rights groups say killed thousands, though official figures remain inconsistent. Recent reports indicate that the intensity of the protests has diminished, and the government has begun restoring SMS and internet services in parts of the country after more than a week of near-total blackout.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly addressed the unrest for the first time, placing blame squarely on foreign powers. He said, “Those linked to Israel and the US caused massive damages and killed several thousands,” accusing the US and Israel of directing violence on the ground. He described the unrest as a foreign-backed plot and said, “The latest anti-Iran sedition was different in that the US president personally became involved,” calling President Donald Trump a “criminal” and alleging a deeper level of American intervention than in past protests.

Khamenei’s remarks were especially striking for acknowledging casualties on a scale not previously admitted by Iran’s leadership. He claimed that “violent protesters have killed thousands of people,” marking the first time the country’s top authority publicly spoke of deaths in the thousands. An unnamed Iranian official later told Reuters that authorities had verified at least 5,000 deaths, including about 500 members of the security forces, while US-based rights groups such as HRANA put the figure at more than 3,000.

Iranian officials have also leveled allegations of sabotage and organized violence, claiming protesters were “equipped, financed, and trained” by foreign actors. Authorities say widespread destruction occurred, including the burning of more than 250 mosques and medical facilities, along with damage to hospitals, ambulances, and emergency vehicles. State media released footage purporting to show armed individuals among demonstrators as evidence of foreign-backed militants. Human rights groups, however, dispute Iran’s framing, arguing that the overwhelming majority of those killed were protesters and accusing the government of mass killings and severe repression.

There has been no direct comment from the United States or Israel on the allegations.