Iran Protests Donald Trump 2026: Khamenei Blames US for Deadly Unrest
Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei blames Donald Trump for the deadly protests that killed 3,090 people. Military tension rises as the US warns of powerful retaliation.
The blame game has turned deadly. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has officially accused the US and President Donald Trump of orchestrating the protests that have claimed thousands of lives. As the rhetoric sharpens, the shadow of military intervention looms over the region.
Escalating Casualties in Iran Protests Donald Trump 2026 Context
In a speech delivered on Saturday, January 17, 2026, Khamenei labeled the unrest as "sedition" backed by foreign enemies. According to the HRANA news agency, the death toll has reached 3,090 since the demonstrations began on December 28. What started as a protest against economic hardship has evolved into a nationwide demand for the end of the Supreme Leader's rule.
While Khamenei acknowledged the "savage" nature of the deaths, he firmly placed the accountability on Washington. Meanwhile, authenticated footage shows security forces using lethal force against protesters, a claim corroborated by BBC Verify despite the government's narrative of defending against "riots."
Digital Blackout and the Threat of Force
Information coming out of the country remains scarce as the Iranian government maintains a near-total internet shutdown. Data from NetBlocks indicates that connectivity is currently at just 2% of normal levels. President Trump has urged protesters to keep going, warning that the US hasn't ruled out military action if the killings continue.
Precautionary measures are already visible. The US and UK have reduced staff at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar. The US State Department has warned Tehran not to "play games," stating that any attack on American bases would be met with a "very, very powerful force."
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