The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed Saturday that the Islamic Republic “will not yield to the enemy” as widespread protests over the collapsing economy continue and the United States threatened possible action.
Speaking in a televised appearance, Khamenei said rioters
should be “put in their place,” while acknowledging that some demonstrations
over economic hardship were legitimate.
Rights groups say more than 10 people have been killed and
scores detained in unrest that has erupted across Iran since Sunday, fueled by
soaring inflation and the collapsing rial currency.
Video circulated by rights groups that Reuters could not
immediately verify showed protesters chanting, “We don’t want spectators: join
us,” and calling for wider participation.
Authorities have taken a dual approach, allowing protests
over economic conditions while responding with force to violent confrontations
in the streets, including the use of tear gas. Khamenei referenced market
traders’ concerns, saying, “The bazaaris were right. They are right to say they
cannot do business in these conditions.”
Reports of violence have centered on small cities in western
Iran. State media said two security personnel were killed and more than a dozen
were injured. The Kurdish rights group Hengaw reported 133 arrests Friday, up
77 from the previous day.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday the country was
“locked and loaded and ready to go” but did not specify what action might be
taken. The statement adds pressure on Iran’s leaders amid a shrinking,
sanctions-hit economy and local shortages of water and electricity.
Iran has faced strategic setbacks in the region since the
2023 Gaza conflict, including Israeli strikes on Hezbollah, the ouster of ally
Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and U.S.- and Israeli-led attacks on Iran’s nuclear
sites that killed senior military leaders.
