Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has for the first time mentioned the number of deaths from anti-government protests.
Khamenei put the figure at a few thousand during his speech on Saturday.
The protests started late last month in the capital Tehran and spread across Iran, with protesters clashing with security forces and police. The New York Times has put the death toll, including that of security personnel, at around 3,000.
The supreme leader also criticized the United States as an agent of sedition. He condemned US President Donald Trump, calling him a criminal because of "the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation."
The protests were triggered by soaring prices caused by Western countries' economic sanctions. Khamenei said he knows the economic situation for Iranian citizens "is not good," and that they are facing difficulties. He urged the government to work on the issue "with more seriousness."
With little prospect of Western sanctions being lifted, it remains to be seen whether Tehran can improve people's lives and ease their anti-government sentiment.

Quiz 1:
According to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, approximately how many people died during the anti-government protests?
A. Around 300
B. A few thousand
C. Exactly 5,000
D. Over 10,000

Quiz 2:
Where did the protests initially begin?
A. Isfahan
B. Shiraz
C. Tehran
D. Mashhad

Quiz 3:
What did Ayatollah Khamenei accuse US President Donald Trump of being responsible for?
A. Casualties, damages, and slander inflicted on the Iranian nation.
B. The initial outbreak of the protests.
C. Lifting Western sanctions against Iran.
D. Encouraging economic growth in Iran.



[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: B
Quiz 2: C
Quiz 3: A