Iran’s supreme leader acknowledges thousands killed as Trump calls for new leadership: reports

Donald Trump has threatened "very strong action" against Iran if it executes protesters involved in recent anti-government demonstrations. The warning comes amid reports from human rights groups that over 2,400 protesters have been killed in a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities. One specific case involves 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who relatives say is facing imminent execution after a rapid trial. Trump stated he plans to gather accurate information on the death toll and will act accordingly. He has also suspended meetings with Iranian officials and pledged support to the protesters.

Widespread anti-government protests in Iran, triggered by an economic crisis, have escalated, resulting in thousands of casualties and arrests. Reports indicate over 2,000 people have been killed, and over 16,700 arrested, with many protesters sustaining gunshot wounds. The Iranian government accuses the US of seeking a pretext for intervention, while US President Trump has warned of strong action if Iran executes protesters and has suggested potential military action. Trump has urged protesters to continue and has cancelled meetings with Iran. The US State Department advises US citizens to leave Iran, citing internet outages and limited US government assistance for departures.

Iran's chief justice, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, is advocating for swift trials and executions for individuals detained during the ongoing anti-government protests. This push comes despite warnings from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Mohseni-Ejei emphasized the need for immediate action to maximize its impact. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that the death toll from the protests has reached at least 2,571, with other reports suggesting the number is even higher. The protests and subsequent detentions are occurring throughout Iran. The chief justice's call for expedited trials and executions aims to quell the unrest.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's deposed shah, is urging President Trump to intervene in Iran to support ongoing protests against the country's theocratic government. In a Fox News interview on January 11, 2026, Pahlavi stated that protesters are emboldened by Trump's warnings of potential military action if peaceful demonstrators are harmed. He believes U.S. intervention is necessary to remove the current regime, which he sees as a threat to Iranian, American, and regional interests. Pahlavi, who has lived in exile since the 1979 revolution, has seen a recent increase in support within Iran amid the protests that began in late December due to economic issues and have expanded into calls for the ouster of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian authorities have arrested key protest leaders amid intensifying crackdowns on demonstrations that began two weeks ago, triggered by economic decline but evolving into demands for political reform. Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan announced the arrests, while the Attorney General warned protesters could face charges punishable by death. The unrest, considered the most significant in years, occurs against a backdrop of economic crisis and recent conflict with Israel. Authorities have implemented internet blackouts, which human rights groups say have enabled a more brutal crackdown, with reports of deadly force and live ammunition used against protesters. At least 116 deaths and 2,600 arrests have been reported. The US has threatened intervention if the violence against protesters continues.

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, has shifted from advocating civil disobedience to urging Iranians to seize city centers. Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the US for over 40 years, previously promoted nonviolent resistance and a secular democracy. Recently, he called on Iranians to "seize city centres" and prepare for his imminent return, prompting accusations of "terrorism" from Iranian state media. He also urged workers in key sectors to launch nationwide strikes and called on security forces to defect. Pahlavi, born in Tehran in 1960, was named crown prince at age seven but left Iran for fighter pilot training in the US just before the 1979 revolution.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged that "several thousand people" died during recent anti-government demonstrations, marking his first public acknowledgment of the unrest's deadly scale. Khamenei accused the US and Israel of supporting the killings, claiming the Islamic Republic possesses evidence to support this. He stated that Iran does not seek war but will punish those responsible for the unrest, both domestically and internationally. Khamenei also criticized US President Donald Trump, holding him responsible for deaths, damage, and accusations against the Iranian people, further labeling Trump a "criminal" for his personal involvement in the "sedition". Human rights groups estimate the death toll to be around 3,500, with over 22,000 people detained.

In January 2026, the Trump administration stated that military action, including air strikes, remains an option regarding Iran, despite preferring a diplomatic solution. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that President Trump is considering "many options" in response to widespread protests and government crackdowns in Iran. These protests, met with lethal force by Iranian security forces, have reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths, though figures are difficult to verify due to an internet blackout. Trump has previously bombed Iranian nuclear facilities and threatened further action if Iran does not comply with US demands, using the government's crackdown as justification for potential military intervention. A US strike on Iran would likely violate international law.

The White House stated that Donald Trump is willing to use military force against Iran amid ongoing unrest in the country. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned airstrikes as a potential option, emphasizing Trump's concern over the violence in Tehran. Trump also announced a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran. These statements come as Iran faces widespread protests, which began over economic issues and have evolved into challenges to the government. Reports indicate a harsh crackdown by the Iranian regime, with hundreds killed and thousands arrested, while the government attributes the unrest to foreign interference.

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi is urging President Trump to intervene in Iran as anti-government protests intensify and the regime implements a nationwide internet blackout. Pahlavi claims Trump's previous threats of intervention have deterred the regime's violence and believes the current blackout is a prelude to a brutal crackdown on protesters. He called on Iranians to continue protesting and reiterated his belief that the regime is nearing collapse due to widespread unrest across over a hundred cities. The protests, involving various segments of Iranian society, have resulted in at least 36 deaths, including protesters and security forces. Pahlavi's plea follows Supreme Leader Khamenei's accusation that protesters are acting to please the U.S. President.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has denounced anti-government protesters as "troublemakers" and "vandals" seeking to please US President Donald Trump. The protests, sparked by economic grievances on December 28th, have evolved into widespread calls for regime change, with some advocating for the restoration of the monarchy. At least 48 protesters and 14 security personnel have reportedly been killed, and over 2,277 individuals have been arrested amid an internet blackout. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned it will not tolerate the ongoing unrest. Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah, has urged Trump to intervene and support the Iranian people. Protests have occurred across the country, with demonstrators chanting slogans against Khamenei.

On Friday, January 9, 2026, Iran experienced a second night of widespread, anti-government protests across the country, including in major cities like Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. Tens of thousands of Iranians participated, despite a total internet blackout and threats of a severe crackdown from Iranian leadership. Protesters, reportedly from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, chanted slogans against the government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and some were seen burning symbols of the Islamic Republic. State television warned of potential violence and urged parents to keep their children home. Khamenei condemned the protesters as rioters influenced by the United States and Israel.

Protests are ongoing in Iran, despite an internet shutdown and escalating crackdown by authorities. Demonstrators in cities like Tehran and Mashhad are protesting against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the current regime. Videos and reports trickling out of the country describe a heavy-handed police response, including the use of live ammunition against protesters. Human rights activists report difficulty verifying claims due to the internet blackout, but testimonies suggest widespread police brutality. The US-based Human Rights Activist news agency reports at least 65 deaths. The protests, the largest in recent years, pose a significant challenge to the Iranian government, which blames the US for inciting the unrest.

Nationwide anti-regime protests in Iran have intensified, leading to a government-imposed internet blackout and a rising death toll. The internet shutdown, confirmed by NetBlocks, aims to restrict communication as protests enter their second week. The National Council of Resistance of Iran reports that at least 44 protesters have been killed by Iranian security forces during the unrest, with violence erupting in regions like Lordegan and Isfahan. The internet shutdown began Thursday, coinciding with escalating digital censorship measures and reports of cut telephone lines. President Trump has warned the Iranian regime against violence, expressing support for the Iranian people's freedom.

Armed anti-government protests in Iran intensified, particularly in Tehranpars, with clashes between demonstrators and security forces. The protests, ongoing for two weeks across 190 cities, have resulted in reported deaths and arrests, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran. The Iranian government has imposed internet blackouts and threatened harsh punishments. Former President Trump stated the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation and warned of a strong response, short of military intervention, if Iran uses excessive force against protestors. Several airlines, including Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, have suspended flights to Iran amidst the unrest.

Following widespread protests in Iran sparked by economic concerns and spreading to anti-government sentiment, Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would intervene if peaceful protesters were killed. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, responded by calling Trump's statement "reckless and dangerous," asserting that Iran would forcefully reject any interference. Araghchi also alluded to Iran's military readiness. The protests, which began in Tehran due to the falling value of the Iranian currency, have spread to multiple cities, resulting in clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Reports indicate that at least eight people have died during the week-long unrest, though these reports have not been independently verified. Iranian police have stated they will prevent "enemies" from turning the unrest into chaos.

In a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the UN Security Council president on January 3, 2026, Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani urged condemnation of U.S. President Donald Trump's threats regarding ongoing protests in Iran. The appeal followed Trump's statement that the U.S. was prepared to intervene if Iranian authorities violently suppressed the demonstrations, which are driven by the rising cost of living. Iravani characterized Trump's remarks as a violation of the UN Charter and international law, warning against using internal unrest as a pretext for external pressure or military intervention. He asserted Iran's right to defend its sovereignty and held the U.S. responsible for any consequences resulting from its threats and potential escalation. Protests were reported in multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, on the same day.

Protests in Iran, triggered by financial pressures including high inflation and a currency collapse, have entered their fifth day. Demonstrations have spread from major cities like Tehran to smaller cities in the west. Clashes between protesters and security forces have resulted in at least one confirmed death, a 21-year-old member of a militia, though a rights group claims he was a protester. Reports of violence and additional deaths in the city of Lordegan are unconfirmed. Protesters have been chanting slogans and engaging in acts of vandalism, resulting in injuries to security officers. The Iranian government acknowledges the need to address the public's concerns.