Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Iranian regime, referring to the recent protests, confirmed the killing of several thousand people and said the Iranian regime does not intend to drag the country into war, but will not let go of “domestic and international criminals.”
On Saturday, January 17, Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with individuals close to the regime held on the occasion of “Eid al-Mab’ath,” confirmed the killing of several thousand people during the Iranian national uprising and said: “We do not intend to take the country toward war, but we will not let domestic criminals go. We will not let international criminals go either.”
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Some sources say that the Iranian regime’s repressive forces mainly killed several thousand people over two consecutive nights, Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9.
In explaining the Iranian regime’s method of operation, Khamenei referred to the “early Islamic wars” and the way the first Shiite imam acted, describing him as “victorious in all battles” and implicitly comparing himself to him.
At the same time as these remarks, reports circulating on social media from various cities across the country indicate that the bloody suppression of protests, deployment of military forces, raids on homes, confiscation of CCTV camera memory cards, and intensified movement controls have effectively imposed a state of martial law over large parts of Iran.
Khamenei’s warning to Trump
In another part of his remarks, Khamenei said that Donald Trump, the president of the United States, was personally involved in this “sedition,” had “encouraged the seditionists,” and had said he would provide “military support.”
He said that from the beginning of the revolution until today, “America’s domination was eliminated under the leadership of Imam Khomeini,” adding: “From day one, they have been thinking about restoring this domination.”
Khamenei said: “We put out the sedition, but this is not enough. America must be held accountable.”
Khamenei added: “Just as the Iranian nation broke the back of the sedition; it must also break the back of the seditionist.”
At the same time as these remarks, the Persian-language account of the U.S. State Department on X announced: “We have heard reports that the Islamic Republic is preparing options to target U.S. bases.”
ما گزارشهایی شنیدهایم مبنی بر اینکه جمهوری اسلامی در حال آمادهسازی گزینههایی برای هدف قرار دادن پایگاههای آمریکایی است. همانطور که رئیسجمهور ترامپ بارها تأکید کرده است، همه گزینهها روی میز باقی ماندهاند و اگر رژیم جمهوری اسلامی اقدام به حمله به داراییهای آمریکا کند،… pic.twitter.com/3Rj0HU2FBv
— USAbehFarsi (@USABehFarsi) January 17, 2026
The message emphasized that Washington is closely monitoring developments and has the necessary readiness.
The post quoted the U.S. president as saying that “all options remain on the table” and that in the event of any attack on U.S. assets, the Iranian regime would face a very, very powerful force.
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At the end, the Persian-language account of the U.S. State Department on X warned that this position had been stated before and was being reiterated: “Don’t play with President Trump.”
In another part of his remarks, Khamenei said: “I will not allow insults against the president or the heads of other branches and active officials of the country.”
This comes as he himself is the sole target of overthrow slogans by protesters in cities across the country, with demonstrators throughout Iran chanting “This year is the year of blood / Seyed Ali (Khamenei) will be overthrown” and “Death to the dictator.”
