Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed not to succumb to what he called “external pressures and threats,” responding to statements by US President Donald Trump who hinted at possible intervention in support of protesters. This comes as Iran grapples with escalating internal unrest fueled by a worsening economic crisis and soaring inflation.
In a recorded address broadcast on Iranian state television on Saturday, Khamenei declared that the Islamic Republic “will not submit to the enemy,” emphasizing that the actions of those he termed “rioters” must be “put to an end.” This statement clearly signals a potential crackdown on the protests that have gripped the country for days.
These remarks come amid heightened domestic tensions. Human rights groups have reported more than ten deaths and dozens of arrests during demonstrations that erupted last Sunday in several Iranian cities, sparked by the sharp decline in living standards following the collapse of the local currency and the impact of international sanctions on the economy.
A Dual Approach of Dialogue and Repression
Iranian authorities attempted a dual approach to dealing with the unrest, asserting that economic protests were “legitimate” and could be addressed through dialogue, while simultaneously adopting a hardline stance against what they termed acts of rioting and violence. However, field reports indicated the use of tear gas and violent clashes in the streets, particularly in smaller cities in the west of the country.
In this context, Khamenei acknowledged the existence of genuine economic hardship, stating, “The merchants are right, and they are right to say that they cannot operate under these conditions,” referring to the currency crisis and inflation. He distinguished between protesters with economic grievances and those he deemed “rioters,” adding, “We talk to the protesters, but talking to rioters is pointless.”
Heavy Toll and Escalating Arrests
Reports of violence were concentrated in smaller cities in the western provinces, where authorities reported the deaths of several protesters, along with two members of the security forces and injuries to more than 12 others. In this context, the Kurdish human rights organization Hengaw announced that it had documented the arrest of 133 people, a significant increase from the previous day, reflecting an escalating pace of arrests.
Meanwhile, state media reported that security forces arrested individuals accused of manufacturing Molotov cocktails and rudimentary weapons, and accused “infiltrators” of exploiting the protests to carry out attacks on public and private property.
External Pressure at a Moment of Internal Weakness
Internationally, Trump’s statements have heightened tensions, as he declared that the United States is “ready and prepared” without specifying the nature of the actions it might take. These threats come against a backdrop of recent confrontations, including US and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites and military leaders last year.
Iran’s leaders are facing these developments during one of the most difficult periods in decades, with the economy suffering a sharp contraction due to sanctions, and the government struggling to provide water and electricity in some areas, exacerbating public discontent.
This internal crisis coincided with a series of regional setbacks for Tehran since the outbreak of the Gaza war in 2013. Israeli strikes weakened Hezbollah, Iran's main ally in Lebanon, and the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria collapsed. Israeli and American strikes inside Iran killed senior military commanders and exposed widespread security breaches within the regime's structure.
The Biggest Test Since the Mahsa Amini Protests
These protests are the largest since the widespread demonstrations that swept Iran in late 2012 following the death of Kurdish activist Mahsa Amini while in detention. Although the current movement has not reached the scale and scope of those protests, it represents the most serious internal challenge facing the authorities in three years.
With conflicting accounts emerging from human rights groups, state media, and social media platforms, the Iranian landscape remains open to all possibilities. Reuters has been unable to independently verify the figures and reports circulating.
