January 18, 2026 | 12:07 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has accused the United States (US) and Israel of being linked to protests that have left thousands dead. Khamenei said the US and Israel are responsible for the bloody unrest.
"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, January 17, 2026, as reported by Al Jazeera.
He accused both countries of direct involvement in the violence. Khamenei also called US President Donald Trump 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 blamed foreign powers for the unrest. Iran accuses long-time geopolitical rivals, particularly Israel and the US, of fueling instability and directing operations on the ground.
Khamenei warned that while Iran would avoid escalation beyond its borders, those found 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.
The death toll remains unclear, but the US-based human rights group HRANA says another 3,000 people have been killed in the Iranian protests. To date, Iranian officials have publicly acknowledged hundreds of deaths, including members of the security forces.
Khamenei's claim marks the first time the country's highest authority has spoken of thousands of casualties. "They have been saying that the death toll is much higher than what is being publicly announced by the officials," he said.
Iranian officials also said around 3,000 people have been arrested in connection with the protests. Khamenei also accused protesters of widespread destruction, including the burning of more than 250 mosques and medical facilities.
Iran briefly blocked internet services in the country, but the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that internet services had been restored for some users. The ISNA news website said SMS services had also been reactivated.
As reported by The New Arab, US President Donald Trump said that Tehran's leaders had canceled mass hangings. Trump had previously threatened to take very strong action if Iran executed protesters.
"I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (Over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!" he wrote on social media.
Iran has not announced plans for such executions, nor has it said it has canceled them. Government-affiliated Iranian media reported that several "ringleaders" of the riots, including a woman named Nazanin Baradaran, had been detained following what they called a "complex intelligence operations."
Read: Iran Enters Uneasy Calm After Deadly Anti-Regime Protests
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Iran Enters Uneasy Calm After Deadly Anti-Regime Protests
17 jam lalu
A tense calm hangs over Iran after a wave of protests drew a bloody crackdown that reportedly left thousands of people dead.
Iran's Exiled Crown Prince Asks Europe's Help to End Regime
1 hari lalu
Reza Pahlavi said Iran's regime is on its "last legs" and urged countries to back protesters.
Iran Says No Plan to Execute Protesters
2 hari lalu
Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Araghchi denied claims that authorities in the country were planning to execute demonstrators
Fact Check: Video Claiming Millions of Pro-Iran Government Protesters Is False
2 hari lalu
Fact check - The video was created with artificial intelligence (AI).
Why Iran's Fate Means More to Oil Markets than Venezuela's
3 hari lalu
Markets shrugged off Venezuela's oil turmoil but are more anxious about Iran, where unrest or regional escalation could have repercussions.
Iran Closes Airspace Amid Rising Protests and Regional Tensions
3 hari lalu
Iran temporarily closed its airspace to all flights except international flights to and from Iran with official permission on Wednesday at 10:15 p.m.
Indonesia Admits Communication Hurdles With Citizens in Iran Amid Crisis
3 hari lalu
Foreign Minister Sugiono reveals communication challenges with Indonesian citizens in Iran due to the security and political crisis, however the latest report does not indicate many Indonesian citizens directly affected.
Will Trump Risk a Clash with China Over Iran Tariff?
3 hari lalu
Donald Trump's sudden 25% tariff on nations trading with Iran puts Beijing squarely in the spotlight. China knows how to evade sanctions.
Iranian Embassy in Indonesia Responds to Protests, Cites Foreign Interference
3 hari lalu
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Jakarta provides clarification on the protests and riots in Iran since December 28, 2025.
The Pentagon Is Said to Offer Trump Broader Military Options on Iran
3 hari lalu
The Pentagon provides President Trump with broader attack options against Iran, as reported by The New York Times. Trump has canceled all meetings with Iranian officials and urged protesters to 'take over your institutions.'
