Khamenei, 86, made no mention of the brutal tactics of Iran’s security forces in quelling the protests. More than 3,000 people have been killed in the unrest, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The Iranian government has often blamed “foreign” agents for the deadly protests in the country, without providing evidence. “Some were killed with a force that was inhuman … completely savagely,” the Iranian leader continued. In his interview with Fox News, Iran’s foreign minister also indicated that there were no plans to hang protesters.

Source: CNN January 18, 2026 02:32 UTC