In a public address, the supreme leader referred to the deaths while defending the state’s response to the unrest, describing the protests as a period of “severe internal disorder” that, he said, threatened national stability. While he did not provide an exact number, the acknowledgment aligns with estimates long cited by opposition groups and human rights organisations, which had accused authorities of downplaying the scale of the violence.
The protests erupted amid widespread anger over economic hardship, political repression, and social restrictions, quickly spreading across major cities and smaller towns. Security forces responded with mass arrests, internet shutdowns, and the use of live ammunition, according to activists and eyewitnesses. Until now, Iranian officials had largely rejected claims of large-scale civilian deaths, attributing casualties to “rioters” or foreign-backed elements.
The admission has sparked renewed international reaction, with critics saying it confirms long-standing concerns about human rights abuses in Iran. Several governments and rights groups called for independent investigations and accountability for those responsible for ordering and carrying out lethal force against protesters.
Inside Iran, the statement has generated mixed reactions. Some saw it as a tacit acknowledgment of public suffering, while others accused the leadership of attempting to control the narrative without offering justice or transparency. Families of victims have continued to demand official recognition of their loved ones and the release of detained protesters.
Iranian authorities maintain that security forces acted to preserve order and protect the state, warning against what they describe as foreign interference. However, analysts say the supreme leader’s remarks signal how deeply the unrest shook the system and how difficult it has become to dismiss the scale of the crackdown.
The protests have since subsided, but tensions remain high as economic pressures persist and public trust in state institutions continues to erode.