Iran’s supreme leader acknowledges thousands killed as Trump calls for new leadership: reports

Iran’s supreme leader has publicly acknowledged for the first time that thousands of people were killed during recent anti-government protests, according to reporting from the BBC, as President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric and called for new leadership in Iran.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the remarks during a public address Saturday, blaming the U.S. for the unrest and violence and saying some protesters died “in an inhuman, savage manner,” the BBC reported.

The protests, which began in late December over economic conditions, later expanded into calls for an end to Iran’s ruling system. 

U.S.-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates that more than 3,000 people were killed over roughly three weeks of unrest, though Iranian authorities have not released an official death toll.

According to the BBC, nationwide internet shutdowns have made independent verification difficult, with connectivity dropping to roughly 2% of normal levels, citing data from cyber monitoring group NetBlocks.

A ‘TEAR DOWN THE WALL’ MOMENT IN IRAN WILL DAMAGE BOTH THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC — AND CHINA

Videos authenticated by BBC Persian and BBC Verify show Iranian security forces firing on demonstrators during the unrest.

Trump told Politico on Saturday that “it’s time to look for new leadership in Iran,” after being read a series of hostile posts from Khamenei’s X account accusing the president of responsibility for the violence.

“What he is guilty of, as the leader of a country, is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before,” Trump said, according to Politico. “Leadership is about respect, not fear and death.”

TOP IRANIAN GENERAL THREATENS TO ‘CUT OFF’ TRUMP’S HAND OVER POTENTIAL MILITARY STRIKES

Trump went further in personal terms, telling Politico, “The man is a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people.”

“His country is the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership,” Trump added.

Trump has previously urged Iranians to continue protesting and “take over institutions,” saying that “help is on its way,” according to Politico. The president later said he had been informed that the killings had stopped.

“The best decision he ever made was not hanging more than 800 people two days ago,” Trump told Politico, when asked about the scope of potential U.S. military action.

In a series of posts on X posts, Khamenei accused Trump of responsibility for the violence, writing, “We find the US President guilty due to the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation.”

In another post, Khamenei claimed that “The US’s goal is to devour Iran.”

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Trump has said in recent days he was looking at “very strong options” including possible military involvement.

The State Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

US strike eliminates al Qaeda operative connected to ISIS ambush that killed 3 Americans in Syria

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Saturday a leader affiliated with al Qaeda who had direct ties to an ISIS terrorist responsible for killing two U.S. service members and an American interpreter Dec. 13 was killed in a U.S. strike in northwest Syria Friday.

CENTCOM officials said Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was “directly connected” with the ISIS gunman who killed and injured American and Syrian personnel last month in Palmyra, Syria.

“The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” said CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper. “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”

CENTCOM launched large-scale strikes in Syria in response to the Dec. 13 attack.

US TROOPS PULL OUT OF MAJOR IRAQ AIRBASE AMID ONGOING REGIONAL CONSOLIDATION EFFORT, PROGRESS AGAINST ISIS

Operation Hawkeye Strike resulted in U.S. and partner forces hitting more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets with over 200 precision munitions.

More than 300 ISIS operatives were captured and more than 20 were killed across Syria within the past year, according to CENTCOM.

U.S. special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and members of their team in Damascus Jan. 10 to discuss recent developments in Aleppo and the broader path forward for Syria’s historic transition.

TRUMP ATTENDS SOLEMN DIGNIFIED TRANSFER FOR IOWA GUARDSMEN, CIVILIAN KILLED IN SYRIA ISIS ATTACK

In a statement on X, Barrack said President Donald Trump agreed to lift sanctions to “give Syria a chance” to move forward. 

“The United States Government welcomes Syria’s historic transition and extends its support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as it works to stabilize the country, rebuild national institutions, and fulfill the aspirations of all Syrians for peace, security, and prosperity,” Barrack wrote in the post.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR CONDEMNS ALLEGED SYRIAN ARMY ABUSES AS CEASEFIRE FOLLOWS ALEPPO FIGHTING 

He added that the Syrian government has reaffirmed its commitment to the March 2025 integration agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) but called developments in Aleppo that “appear to challenge the terms of this agreement” deeply concerning.

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“We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately cease hostilities, and return to dialogue in accordance with the March 10 and April 1, 2025 agreements between the Syrian government and the SDF,” Barrack wrote. 

“Violence risks undermining the progress achieved since the fall of the Assad regime and invites external interference that serves no party’s interests. … The objective remains a sovereign, unified Syria — at peace with itself and its neighbors — where equality, justice, and opportunity are extended to all its people.”

Piers Morgan clashes with Roger Waters, accuses the rocker of propping up dictators while attacking Trump

Piers Morgan slammed Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters for “trying to prop up terrorists and powerful dictatorships” while Waters criticized President Donald Trump as “demented” and “evil.”

Waters appeared on Friday’s episode of “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” where he lambasted Trump as a “real scumbag,” and, according to Morgan, came to the defense of leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and ex-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

During the interview, Waters argued that Putin “really has tried not to hurt civilians” during his ongoing invasion of Ukraine and referred to Maduro as the “duly democratically elected leader” of Venezuela despite his election being widely labeled fraudulent by international observers and critics within his own country.

PIERS MORGAN PANEL ERUPTS IN FIERY CLASH WITH GUEST BEING ACCUSED OF SPREADING ‘JIHADI ISLAMIST PROPAGANDA’

“I support [Maduro] because he’s the duly democratically elected leader of a country that represents all the principles of Bolivarian and Chávez revolutionary process,” Waters asserted. “So, so he represents the people of Venezuela [who] live a completely different way of life than in the United States, where I live, or in England, where you live.”

Waters said of Trump, “He’s demented. He’s obviously very evil.” 

The rock star added that the Trump administration “made up the daft story” of Maduro being a drug trafficker to justify invading Venezuela, calling the claim “errant nonsense.”

Later on in the interview, Waters said the West should “be careful what they wish for” in regard to ousting Putin, warning that whoever replaces him may be far worse than he is.

“Then you will see something completely different, because Putin has conducted the special military operation with his gloves off. He really has tried not to hurt civilians and so on and so forth,” he argued.

PRO-MADURO GROUPS PROTESTING TRUMP’S ACTIONS IN SOCIALIST COUNTRY INCLUDE SOROS-BACKED ORGANIZATION

After Morgan expressed his puzzlement at what Waters said about Putin, the Pink Floyd star told the host, “See, you know nothing, Piers.”

“Vladimir Putin illegally invaded a sovereign democratic country and started bombing the s— out of it. Why? Why would you, on any level, try to excuse or defend it?” Morgan asked.

Contrasting Waters’ remarks about the United States with his comments about countries like Russia and Venezuela, Morgan asked the musician why he doesn’t leave America for one of those countries.

“You rail a lot about America and about Donald Trump, but you live in America, right? I mean, there’s inconsistency there. Why live somewhere if you hate it so much or hate the leaders so much? Why don’t you act to the point of principle, get off your backside and go and live in Iran or Venezuela? Live under one of these regimes that you think aren’t too bad,” Morgan railed.

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“Piers, do stop, do stop. Maybe I will, but to answer your question about me being successful in rock and roll and blah, yes I am, very and blah blah blah and all of that. Why do I do all of this? Because I believe — I hope you’re listening — I believe in right and wrong. I have a moral compass. … I have moral compass which I allow to guide my actions,” Waters shot back.

After telling Morgan that he appeared on the show to be a “voice for the voiceless,” Morgan questioned who the “voiceless” people were that Waters was claiming to be speaking out for.

“Although it suits you to say, ‘I only stand up for the voiceless,’ actually, it sounds to me like you like to stand up for terror groups and call them resistance. You like to stand up for dictators and say they’re just massively misunderstood guys,” he told Waters.

“So, when I look at your worldview, I don’t see a guy — with all due respect, Roger — who’s standing up for the voiceless and powerless. I see somebody trying to prop up terrorists and powerful dictatorships and regimes.”

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US troops pull out of major Iraq airbase amid ongoing regional consolidation effort, progress against ISIS

U.S. troops have pulled out of Ain al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, Fox News has learned.

The withdrawal from the base, part of an ongoing effort to consolidate troops in the region that was announced last fall, was completed by Friday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) sources told Fox News. 

“We’re able to consolidate because of the significant progress made there. ISIS in Iraq doesn’t pose a threat beyond Iraq’s capacity to handle on their own,” a U.S. official told Fox News. The official added that it speaks to “our success in rooting out the ISIS threat in Iraq and Iraqi forces’ willingness and progress in standing on their own.”

The official added that U.S. forces are consolidating outside of federal Iraqi territory, meaning they’re concentrating forces elsewhere to focus on engaging remnants of ISIS in Syria. 

ARMED KURDISH FIGHTERS TRY TO BREACH IRAN BORDER AS REGIONAL THREAT GROWS AMID PROTESTS: REPORTS

The move comes as CENTCOM is calling for cooperation and teamwork among Syrian partners in coordination with American forces to combat ISIS.

“We welcome ongoing efforts by all parties in Syria to prevent escalation and pursue resolution through dialogue. We also urge Syrian government forces to cease any offensive actions in areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa. Aggressively pursuing ISIS and relentlessly applying military pressure requires teamwork among Syrian partners and coordination with U.S. and coalition forces. A Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors is essential to peace and stability across the region,” Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said in a statement posted on X.

The statement appeared to be a call for additional coordination in countering ISIS rather than a warning to Damascus.

On Jan. 10, CENTCOM announced that the U.S., alongside partner forces, conducted large-scale strikes against ISIS targets in Syria. 

According to CENTCOM, the strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was announced on Dec. 19, 2025, at the direction of President Donald Trump. The operation was launched “in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

DEADLY STRIKE ON US TROOPS TESTS TRUMP’S COUNTER-ISIS PLAN — AND HIS TRUST IN SYRIA’S NEW LEADER

The Jan. 10 strikes came as U.S. special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said he met in Damascus with Syria’s new leadership to discuss the country’s future.

“Today, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, I met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and members of their team in Damascus,” Barrack wrote on X.

Barrack said the talks focused on “recent developments in Aleppo and the broader path forward for Syria’s historic transition,” adding that the United States “welcomes Syria’s historic transition and extends its support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.”

US ANNOUNCES MORE MILITARY ACTIONS AGAINST ISIS: ‘WE WILL NOT RELENT’

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike in December, saying it was in response to an attack on U.S. forces in Syria Dec. 13. 

Hegseth said the actions were “not the beginning of a war” but rather “a declaration of vengeance.”

“Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria,” Hegseth wrote on X.

On Dec. 19, American military forces employed more than 100 precision munitions to strike more than 70 targets of suspected ISIS sites at several locations across the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

Trump previously vowed revenge on the terror group after the soldiers — Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa — and interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat of Michigan were killed while conducting a key leader engagement, part of their mission in support of ongoing counter-ISIS/counter-terrorism operations in the region.

The gunman was killed by partner forces.

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“Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Dec. 19.

Lindsey Graham speaks against pending execution of 26-year-old Iranian protester: ‘This regime must fall’

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is calling for the end of the Iranian regime amid ongoing protests and as the country holds its breath to see whether a 26-year-old protester will be executed, something President Donald Trump has said could trigger U.S. intervention.

“I read with great sadness and heartache about the pending execution of Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old shopkeeper. He is facing death at the hands of the ayatollah simply for protesting in the street for a better life. His family is calling on the world to come to their son’s aid,” Graham wrote in a post on X along with an article about Soltani.

“I hope and pray that the execution does not go forward and this young man does not forfeit his life because he wants to live in freedom without fear,” the senator added. “This regime must fall, and the Iranian people must have a better life.”

Graham said that he believes if the regime falls and the “murderous ayatollah running Iran” is gone, the impact on the region “would be incredibly positive.” He also warned, however, that if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were to remain in power, it would be “a giant step backward into the darkness.”

LINDSEY GRAHAM CALLS FOR US TO USE ‘ANY MEANS NECESSARY’ TO STOP THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE KILLING OF IRANIANS

Soltani’s story has spread in recent days as the unrest in Iran continues. 

The 26-year-old was arrested in Fardis and was sentenced to death after an expedited trial, according to ABC News, which cited Soltani’s second cousin, Somayeh.

“As someone who is an activist myself and who has fought this regime for many years, I felt it was my right — and my duty — to be Erfan’s voice outside the country despite all the pressure and sanctions that fall on families,” Somayeh, who is based in Germany, told ABC News.

Iranians began protesting in late December amid worsening economic conditions. Earlier this month, the regime instituted a nationwide internet blackout, blocking demonstrators from contacting each other or the outside world amid international fears that protesters would be met with violence and death.

TOP IRAN PRAYER LEADER WHO DUBBED PROTESTERS ‘TRUMP’S SOLDIERS’ CALLS FOR EXECUTIONS AMID ONGOING UNREST

On Jan. 2, just days after the protests erupted, Trump said the U.S. was “locked and loaded” and ready to take action if the regime used violence against demonstrators. One day after the threat was made, the U.S. captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, adding weight to Trump’s words, though no known action has been taken yet.

Trump claimed Wednesday the administration was told “on good authority” that the killing in Iran had stopped.

“We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, and it’s stopped and stopping, and there’s no plan for executions or an execution,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “So, I’ve been told that on good authority. We’ll find out about it.”

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On Friday, he seemed to double down on the idea that the regime had stopped using violence when he issued a Truth Social post saying Iran had canceled over 800 scheduled hangings.

“I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The fate of Soltani remains unclear, as does the prospect of U.S. intervention in Iran.