Khamenei, 86, made no mention of the brutal tactics of Iran’s security forces in quelling the protests. More than 3,000 people have been killed in the unrest, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The Iranian government has often blamed “foreign” agents for the deadly protests in the country, without providing evidence. “Some were killed with a force that was inhuman … completely savagely,” the Iranian leader continued. Fate of the protestersIn the Saturday address, Iran’s supreme leader vowed consequences for those who took part in the “riots” but did not elaborate on what their punishments would be.

Source: CNN January 18, 2026 21:00 UTC