Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei broke his silence on Saturday regarding the nationwide unrest, characterizing the economic demands of the people as "fair" while simultaneously ordering a firm crackdown on those he labeled "rioters."

The protests, now in their seventh day, began last Sunday as an outcry against soaring inflation and a collapsing currency, which has seen the rial trade at a staggering 1.4 million to USD 1.

Addressing a crowd on a Shiite holiday, Khamenei admitted, “The shopkeepers have protested against this situation and that is completely fair.” He noted that high-ranking officials are working to resolve the economic stagnation in the sanctions-hit country.

Despite his conciliatory tone regarding livelihoods, Khamenei’s rhetoric shifted sharply when discussing the broader unrest. “Authorities must have dialogue with protesters, but it is useless to have dialogue with rioters. Those must be put in their place,” he warned. He accused "enemy mercenaries" of infiltrating merchant strikes to chant slogans against the Islamic Republic.

This warning coincides with a rising death toll. Official figures indicate at least eight to ten people have been killed so far, including security personnel.

On Saturday, state media reported that Ali Azizi, a member of the paramilitary Basij force, was "martyred" after being stabbed and shot in the city of Harsin.

Another fatality was reported in the holy city of Qom, where an official stated a man died when a grenade he intended to use exploded in his hands. What began as economic strikes by shopkeepers and students has evolved into a more overtly political movement.

In cities like Karaj, protesters have been heard chanting slogans such as "Death to the dictator" and referencing the return of the Pahlavi dynasty. Demonstrations have now spread to more than 25 cities, primarily in the country’s west and southwest.

The internal crisis is being closely watched by the international community. US President Donald Trump, currently on vacation in Florida, issued a stark warning on Friday, stating that if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters," the United States "will come to their rescue."

Iranian officials have countered by calling Trump's threats "reckless" and suggesting that U.S. interests in the Middle East could be targeted if Washington intervenes.

Source: AFP