‘People Were Killed, But Numbers Are Incorrect’: Khamenei Aide On Iran Protests

Last Updated:January 24, 2026, 15:48 IST

Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, aide to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, denied large-scale state violence in Iran protests, blamed foreign interests, and cited sanctions for economic distress.

Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, aide to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, denied large-scale state violence in Iran protests, blamed foreign interests, and cited sanctions for economic distress. (REUTERS/Jill Connelly)

An aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has acknowledged that people were killed during the recent wave of protests in Iran, but rejected allegations of large-scale state violence, calling reported death tolls “fake" and driven by foreign interests.

Speaking to ANI during a visit to India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, a representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader, stated that Iran aspires to stability and peace, while attributing the country’s economic distress to international sanctions.

“We are looking for peace and security, but some people do not want that," Ilahi said, adding that instability in Iran could have wider consequences for the Middle East. He expressed hope that the situation would calm down and that peace and security would prevail.

Iran has witnessed widespread protests since late December last year, triggered by economic hardship and rising living costs. The unrest has also drawn international attention, with activists and rights groups alleging a deadly crackdown by Iranian authorities claims the government strongly denies.

Ilahi said Iran’s economic challenges stem largely from international sanctions and insisted that the government was making efforts to address public grievances. “The government is listening to the demands of the people and trying to solve their problems," he said, adding that many issues were “not in Iran’s hands" due to what he described as “unlawful sanctions" imposed from abroad.

While acknowledging public anger over economic conditions, Ilahi claimed external actors were exploiting the protests. “Yes, we have economic problems, and some people are angry, but others are using this opportunity to achieve their own aims," he said.

He also argued that the situation in Iran was being misrepresented internationally. “There is a deep gap between the reality on the ground and the image created by journalists, enemies or other people," Ilahi said, insisting that the situation was now “under control" and not as severe as portrayed on social media.

Responding to questions about deaths during the protests, Ilahi admitted that people had been killed but disputed the figures cited by international organisations. “Yes, people were killed, but the numbers mentioned by organisations based in the UK, the US and Europe are incorrect and fake," he said, alleging that the figures were exaggerated to accuse the Iranian government.

Ilahi further claimed that some protesters had attacked civilians, police officers and business owners, and that deaths attributed to security forces were, in some cases, misleading. He alleged that unrest was fuelled by foreign-backed efforts to destabilise Iranian society, comparing the violence to tactics used by extremist groups in the past.

According to Ilahi, many of those killed were civilians caught in the violence, while others died during clashes after attacking security forces. He maintained that police actions were aimed at restoring order rather than suppressing dissent.

News world ‘People Were Killed, But Numbers Are Incorrect’: Khamenei Aide On Iran Protests During India Visit

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