Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Iran Blames Foreign Powers for Protests
There have been big protests in Iran, and the government says that foreign countries are trying to cause trouble.
The leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, says that many people have died, maybe even thousands.
But different groups are saying different numbers, from a few hundred to over 20,000.
It's hard to know the real number because the government has cut off communication and made it difficult for people to find out what's happening.
The government says that foreign countries are funding and training people to cause violence and disorder.
They also say that the United States and Israel are trying to weaken Iran through sanctions and covert operations.
The government claims that Iran has never started a war and that the country is united and strong.
People are arguing about who to believe, and it's all very confusing.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blames foreign powers for the protests and violence in Iran.
The protests, which started on 28 December 2025, are alleged to be the result of foreign intervention, with external actors funding, training, and guiding individuals to provoke violence and disorder.
The death toll from the protests is disputed, with estimates ranging from several hundred to over 20,000, and the government claims that the exact number is politicized.
The Iranian government alleges that foreign intelligence agencies have supplied materials for arson and bomb blasts and have pumped in large sums of money to fuel unrest.
Iran emphasizes its 3,000-year-old civilizational legacy and claims that it has never initiated a war, acting defensively despite repeated provocations.
- Who
- Iranian protesters, government forces, and foreign actors
- What
- Anti-government protests and subsequent crackdown, with allegations of foreign intervention
- When
- Since 28 December 2025
- Where
- Across Iran
- Why
- Protests erupted due to various grievances, with the government blaming foreign actors for the violence and destabilization efforts
Iranian Government
Protesters and International Observers
Cause of Protests
Iranian Government
The protests are a result of foreign intervention, with external actors funding, training, and guiding individuals to provoke violence and disorder.
Protesters and International Observers
The protests are a spontaneous public uprising driven by grievances against the government, including economic hardships and political repression.
Death Toll
Iranian Government
The government claims that the death toll is in the thousands, but the exact number is disputed and politicized.
Protesters and International Observers
Independent organizations and international observers report significantly higher death tolls, with estimates ranging from several hundred to over 20,000.
Foreign Involvement
Iranian Government
Foreign powers, including the United States and Israel, are actively working to destabilize Iran through sanctions, covert operations, and funding of protests.
Protesters and International Observers
The protests are primarily driven by internal issues, and foreign involvement is minimal or non-existent.
- Protests Start Date
- 28 December 2025
- Supreme Leader's Claim
- Several thousands killed
- HRANA's Confirmed Fatalities
- Over 4,000
- HRANA's Fatalities Under Review
- 9,000
- Doctors' Estimates
- Up to 20,000 civilians killed
- Iranian Official's Verified Deaths
- At least 5,000, including 500 security personnel
- Foreign Involvement Allegations
- Funding, training, and guidance of protesters by external actors
- Sanctions
- Harsh sanctions imposed by the United States aimed at destabilizing Iran
Sources
How Iran protest death tolls have been politicised
Iran deaths went beyond protesters, hitting bystanders too, witnesses say
Iran Protests 'Foreign-Engineered For Chaos': Khamenei's India Representative
Iran admits 3,000 protest deaths — activists say the real toll is much higher
In ominous sign for regime, Iran’s protests began in conservative stronghold
