Iran’s judiciary chief warned protesters that authorities would show no leniency toward those accused of aiding foreign adversaries, as nationwide demonstrations driven by economic distress continued to expand.
The remarks came as Iran faces heightened international pressure and renewed tensions with the United States and Israel following recent military confrontations.
Officials framed the protests as influenced by external actors, while protesters have cited worsening living conditions and political constraints.
Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said there was “no excuse for those coming to the streets for riots and unrest” after statements by Israel and the U.S. president.
He accused Washington and Tel Aviv of pursuing hybrid methods to destabilize the Islamic Republic, according to state media.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated that the country would not yield to foreign pressure.
The warnings followed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the United States would come to the aid of protesters if security forces used lethal force.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also voiced support for demonstrators, suggesting Iran could be at a decisive moment.
Iran’s army chief, Major General Amir Hatami, later warned that any aggressor would face a decisive response, emphasizing heightened military readiness after last year’s conflict.
The protests, described as the largest in three years, began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar last month as shopkeepers protested the sharp fall of the national currency.
Demonstrations have since spread nationwide, fueled by inflation, economic mismanagement, Western sanctions, and restrictions on political and social freedoms.
Rights groups have reported dozens of deaths and thousands of arrests, though Reuters has been unable to independently verify the figures.
Authorities have not released an official death toll but said members of the security services were among those killed and injured.
Western provinces including Ilam, Kermanshah, and Lorestan have seen the most violent unrest, according to Kurdish-Iranian rights group Hengaw.
Opposition remains fragmented, though exiled figure Reza Pahlavi has called on security forces to side with protesters and urged further demonstrations.