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

Supreme Leader's Accusations

• 💡 Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, acknowledged thousands killed in recent protests, a rare admission.
• 🎯 Khamenei accused the United States and Israel of being responsible for the violence, calling US President Donald Trump a "criminal."
• 🔑 He stated that Iran would not be dragged into war but vowed to pursue "international criminals" and ensure the government responds to these actions.

Communication Blackout and Restoration

• ⚠️ Internet and phone services have been largely cut off for over a week, making it difficult to contact people inside Iran.
• 📱 Authorities have partially restored domestic text messaging and internal messaging apps, but international calls, texts, and access to international websites remain restricted.
• ⚙️ The government implemented a three-phase plan for communication restoration, with the third phase (full internet restoration) not yet in place, primarily to prevent protesters from organizing.

Protest Aftermath and Arrests

• 🚨 Iranian media reports indicate that at least 3,000 people involved in anti-government demonstrations have been arrested, with arrests continuing daily, including in Kurdistan province.
• ⚖️ Tehran's public prosecutor rejected Donald Trump's claim that Iran had halted 800 executions due to US pressure, stating that trials are ongoing.

Legal Proceedings and State Dilemma

• 👨‍⚖️ Indictments are ready for some cases, particularly in Tehran, and officials expect swift trials, with some public trials for "key figures" or "leaders" of the protests.
• ⚖️ Accusations against protesters include "destroying public order" and "waging a war against the state," which are considered serious crimes.
• 🧩 Iranian officials face a dilemma: they must act boldly to avoid appearing weak and encouraging further protests, but also carefully to avoid deepening the rift between the people and the state.

Underlying Causes and Future Outlook

• 🌱 While protests have calmed and lost momentum, the root causes remain unaddressed, including economic hardships, growing poverty, and limited resources.
• 🤝 Officials recognize that the reconciliation of the state and the people is a top priority for the country, acknowledging the growing gap between them.