Khamenei Admits 'Several Thousand' Killed in Iran Protests, Blames US and Israel

• Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged 'several thousand' deaths in ongoing anti-government protests for the first time.
• Khamenei accused the United States and Israel of aiding the violence, claiming some victims were killed 'brutally and inhumanely'.
• He held US President Donald Trump responsible for 'deaths, damage, and accusations' against the Iranian people, calling him a 'criminal'.
• Protests began in late December over the rial's fall, escalating into demands for political change.
• Human rights groups estimate over 3,000 deaths and 22,000 detentions, with verification difficult due to a communications blackout.

Why It Matters: Khamenei admits thousands killed in Iran protests, blames US and Israel, while Trump urges continued unrest.