Iran’s Khamenei says US, Israel links behind ‘thousands killed’ in protests

The country’s supreme leader says foreign-backed protests ‘caused massive damage and killed several thousands’.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says actors linked to the United States and Israel were responsible for killing “several thousands” of people during weeks of antigovernment protests in the country.

“Those linked to Israel and US caused massive damages and killed several thousands” during the protests that convulsed Iran for more than two weeks, Khamenei said on Saturday.

He accused the two nations of direct involvement in the violence, describing US President Donald Trump as a “criminal”. “The latest anti-Iran sedition was different in that the US president personally became involved,” Iranian state media quoted him as saying.

Iranian authorities have increasingly pointed the finger at foreign powers for the unrest, accusing longstanding geopolitical rivals – mainly Israel and the US – of fomenting instability and directing operations on the ground.

Khamenei warned that while Iran would avoid escalation beyond its borders, those it holds responsible would face consequences. “We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished,” he said.