Tehran: Iran's judiciary chief, Mohseni Ejei, has pledged 'no leniency' towards individuals he described as 'rioters' amidst continued protests driven by severe economic challenges facing the nation.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Ejei addressed an event in Tehran, emphasizing that while authorities are prepared to listen to concerns regarding social and economic issues, they will firmly handle those inciting unrest, adhering to legal frameworks. This stance comes as a new wave of demonstrations was reported in Tehran and other major Iranian cities on Sunday, spurred by economic difficulties.
The protests, which originated last month in Tehran's Grand Bazaar, have expanded to additional cities. Although predominantly peaceful, some demonstrations have turned violent, resulting in a death toll reported to exceed a dozen, encompassing both protesters and security forces. Central to the unrest is the drastic devaluation of the Iranian rial, reaching a historic low of 1,390,000 rials per US dollar, causing record inflation and escalating prices for essential goods and housing.
Local media suggest protest gatherings in Tehran have diminished recently due to several arrests; however, demonstrations persist in other regions. Tehran, home to approximately 10 million residents, has seen protests primarily in its northeast and northwest areas. The western regions of Iran have experienced the most significant impact, with protests targeting public infrastructure and police stations.
Ejei accused the US and Israel of overtly supporting the unrest. He instructed judicial authorities to expedite cases involving those accused of additional crimes during the protests, such as carrying weapons, and directed provincial chief justices to assign specialized branches to manage these cases.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Command in Lorestan province issued a warning that tolerance for protest leaders has ended. An IRGC statement accused protesters of sabotage and using military weapons, vowing to hold instigators accountable under the law swiftly, as reported by the semi-official ISNA news agency.
Iran's police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, stated that the protests began as legitimate economic grievances by bazaar merchants but evolved into 'street riots.' He announced the arrest of 'riot leaders,' including social media activists accused of incitement. Most protesters, reportedly young individuals, have been released after warnings, while protest leaders remain detained.
Iranian officials have implicated 'external forces,' particularly Israel's Mossad, in the protests, the most intense since 2022. At a press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused Israel of exploiting opportunities to create division within Iran. He condemned comments from Israeli and American officials about the protests, labeling them as endorsements of 'violence, terrorism, and murder.'
Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, cautioned against US interference, warning it could destabilize the Middle East and harm American interests. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf underscored the need to address public grievances while cautioning against foreign-linked elements hijacking protests. On Sunday, Iran's top military commander, General Abdolrahim Mousavi, attributed the ongoing protests to a 'soft war' waged by Israel and the US, aiming to destabilize Iran.