Yes, comparisons between the atrocities and killings attributed to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and those inflicted by colonial or neocolonial powers are possible, as both involve systemic violence, suppression of dissent, exploitation, and loss of life often justified by ideology, control, or resource extraction. However, such comparisons must account for differences in scale, historical context, intent, and duration. Khamenei’s regime (since 1989) has been linked to targeted killings, executions, and crackdowns within Iran and through proxy conflicts, resulting in thousands to tens of thousands of deaths. In contrast, colonial atrocities often spanned centuries and caused tens of millions of deaths through genocide, famine, disease, and forced labor, while neocolonial interventions (post-WWII foreign-backed wars or economic dominance) have fueled conflicts with death tolls in the millions. Below, I’ll outline key examples based on historical estimates, focusing on factual data rather than moral judgments.

Atrocities Under Khamenei’s Leadership

Khamenei has overseen a regime characterized by high execution rates, violent suppression of protests, and support for militias abroad, leading to accusations of crimes against humanity. Key events include:

• 1988 Mass Executions: As Iran’s president at the time (and later Supreme Leader), Khamenei was implicated in the extrajudicial killings of thousands of political prisoners, primarily supporters of opposition groups like the People’s Mujahedin. Estimates range from 2,800 to 30,000 deaths, ordered under a fatwa by Ayatollah Khomeini but defended by Khamenei as necessary against “terrorists.” 0 1 2
• Suppression of Protests (2009–2022): Crackdowns on demonstrations, such as those following the 2009 election and the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, resulted in hundreds to thousands killed by security forces. A UN fact-finding mission documented 551 protester deaths (including 68 children) in 2022–2023, with evidence of murder, torture, rape, and arbitrary executions amounting to crimes against humanity. 3 7 8 The 2019 protests alone saw around 1,500 killed. 13
• Executions and Broader Repression: Iran under Khamenei has executed thousands annually, often for political or drug-related charges. In 2025 alone, reports indicate over 2,000 executions, with a surge in late-year hangings (e.g., 207 in three weeks). 4 10 Indirectly, Iran’s backing of proxies in Syria, Yemen, and elsewhere has contributed to hundreds of thousands of deaths, though attribution is debated.
• Total Estimate: Direct killings in Iran are estimated at 10,000–50,000 over 37 years, excluding proxy wars. This reflects a pattern of state terror to maintain theocratic control, similar to colonial divide-and-rule tactics but on a smaller, more targeted scale.

Atrocities by Colonial Powers

Colonialism (primarily European, 15th–20th centuries) involved conquest, resource plunder, and racial hierarchies, often leading to genocidal violence. Death tolls were amplified by disease, famine, and systemic exploitation. Examples:

• Congo Free State (1885–1908, Belgium): Under King Leopold II, forced rubber extraction led to mutilations, killings, and disease. Population decline estimates range from 1–10 million (half the pre-colonial population), with 500,000 dying from sleeping sickness alone in 1901. 15 34 This was driven by economic greed, not unlike resource-driven repression in modern autocracies.
• Colonization of the Americas (1492–1600s, Spain/Portugal/others): European arrival caused a “Great Dying” through disease, warfare, and enslavement, killing ~56 million indigenous people (90% of the pre-Columbian population, or 10% of the global total). 17 18 In Mexico, conquest wars alone killed ~100,000.
• Indian Famines (18th–20th centuries, Britain): Policies exporting food during shortages caused 12–29 million deaths. The 1943 Bengal famine killed 2–3 million amid WWII priorities. 16
• Herero and Nama Genocide (1904–1908, Germany): In Namibia, colonial forces exterminated 50,000–100,000 through concentration camps and forced marches, reducing populations by 75–80%. 19 25
• Total Colonial Impact: Across empires, estimates suggest 50–100 million deaths in the 20th century alone from colonialism’s tail end, with earlier centuries adding hundreds of millions. 24 37 Motivations included racial superiority and profit, creating long-term poverty and instability.

Atrocities by Neocolonial Powers

Neocolonialism refers to post-independence foreign influence (e.g., US, USSR, France) through proxy wars, economic control, or interventions, often exacerbating ethnic divides inherited from colonialism. Death tolls stem from indirect involvement in civil wars.

• Vietnam War (1960–1975, US involvement): ~2.8 million deaths, including civilians from bombings and chemical warfare (e.g., Agent Orange). 39 Driven by anti-communist ideology.
• Korean War (1950–1953, US/UN vs. North Korea/China): ~2.8 million deaths, with massive civilian casualties from airstrikes. 39
• Congolese Civil War (1998–2003, foreign-backed): ~1.7–5.4 million deaths from violence, disease, and famine, fueled by resource exploitation (e.g., minerals) by neighboring powers and multinationals. 39 42
• Sudanese Civil Wars (1955–2005, ongoing Darfur): Up to 2 million in the second civil war (1983–2005); Darfur genocide (2003–2005) killed 98,000–500,000. 33 44 Neocolonial elements include oil interests and foreign arms.
• Total Neocolonial Impact: 20th-century conflicts with neocolonial ties caused ~231 million deaths overall, per some aggregates. 42 These often perpetuate colonial-era borders and inequalities.

Similarities and Differences

• Similarities: All involve power imbalances, ideological justification (e.g., theocracy vs. “civilizing mission”), suppression of resistance, and long-term societal harm. Khamenei’s crackdowns echo colonial reprisals (e.g., Amritsar massacre), while proxy support resembles neocolonial meddling in resource-rich areas.
• Differences: Scale—colonial/neocolonial atrocities dwarf Khamenei’s in raw numbers (millions vs. thousands) due to longer timelines and global reach. Intent varies: colonial often aimed at extermination or total subjugation, while Khamenei’s focus on internal control. Context matters—colonialism built empires; Khamenei’s regime responds to perceived threats in a post-colonial world. Neocolonialism is subtler, often economic rather than direct rule.
• Validity of Comparison: Yes, for understanding patterns of authoritarian violence, but equating them risks minimizing unique histories. Colonial legacies (e.g., arbitrary borders) even contribute to modern conflicts like those in Iran-supported regions.

This is a high-level overview; precise tolls are debated due to incomplete records. For deeper analysis, consult sources like UN reports or historians such as Adam Hochschild on colonial Congo.