In the wake of nationwide protests that have now largely subsided, Iran's judiciary has affirmed its commitment to applying the full force of the law against those it identifies as instigators of violence and terror. Judicial Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei has stated that individuals involved in acts of arson, destruction, and killing will face justice "without the slightest leniency".
The Iranian government characterizes the recent unrest not as a domestic protest but as a violent "sedition" orchestrated from abroad. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has stated that actors linked to the United States and Israel were directly responsible for causing massive damage and killing "several thousands" of Iranians. Officials assert that the initial peaceful demonstrations over economic grievances were hijacked by armed elements who were "equipped, financed, and trained" by foreign powers. In this context, the judiciary's firm response is framed as a necessary defense of the nation's security and sovereignty against a foreign-orchestrated plot.
This judicial process unfolds against a backdrop of intense geopolitical pressure. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military intervention over Iran's handling of the protests and specifically warned against executing detainees. In response, Iranian leaders have dismissed these threats as unacceptable interference. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a clear warning that Iran would "fire back with everything we have" if it comes under renewed attack, signaling readiness for a ferocious and prolonged regional confrontation. The government views the deployment of a U.S. naval fleet toward the region as a form of psychological warfare intended to intimidate.
With calm restored across the country, Iran's focus remains on internal stability and legal process. While official figures place the death toll at 3,117, including many security personnel and bystanders as "martyrs," the government rejects inflated casualty counts from abroad as part of a disinformation campaign. The international community's condemnation and calls for sanctions are seen as hypocritical, ignoring the foreign role in instigating violence while criticizing Iran's right to defend its internal order.