Khamenei Brands Iranian Protesters ‘Rioters’ Amid Deadly Nationwide Unrest
TEHRAN, Iran — In the face of escalating nationwide protests that have gripped Iran for a week, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a rare public address on January 3, condemning demonstrators as “enemy mercenaries” and “rioters.” The 86-year-old cleric’s speech marked his first public response since the unrest began, signaling the regime’s hardening stance against widespread calls for political and economic reform.
Protests erupted across more than 100 locations in 22 provinces, according to reports from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a prominent opposition group. The demonstrations, initially sparked by economic grievances and government corruption, have evolved into a broader anti-regime movement. Security forces have responded with force, opening fire on protesters in multiple cities, resulting in at least 10 deaths.
Khamenei accused a “number of agitated people, enemy mercenaries,” of exploiting bazaar merchants to chant slogans against Islam, Iran, and the Islamic Republic. He emphasized a distinction between legitimate protest and rioting, warning officials that “speaking with a rioter is pointless” and that “rioters must be put in their place.”
The unrest has been particularly intense in regions such as Malekshahi in Ilam province, where security forces reportedly shot peaceful demonstrators, leaving many critically injured. The NCRI reported that 30 protesters in Malekshahi remain in critical condition. In Kazerun’s Shohada Square, security personnel fired live ammunition at crowds, while in Shiraz’s Golshan district, young protesters blocked roads by setting tires ablaze.
Students have played a prominent role in the uprising. At Shahrood University of Technology, chants of “Students will die but not accept humiliation” echoed through campus, symbolizing the defiant spirit of Iran’s youth. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and other human rights organizations have condemned the Iranian government’s use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators.
The unrest follows an unprecedented message of support from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who on January 2 pledged solidarity with the protesters via social media, stating, “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” This statement has intensified tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with Iranian officials accusing foreign powers of fomenting unrest.
Iran’s political landscape remains volatile as the regime grapples with mounting dissent. The U.S. Department of State’s 2025 Human Rights Report on Iran highlights ongoing repression, including arbitrary arrests and suppression of free speech, which have fueled public anger.
Khamenei’s speech underscores the regime’s unwillingness to tolerate dissent, framing the protests as a threat to national security and the Islamic Republic’s foundations. As demonstrations continue to spread, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential for further violence and instability in the region.
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