Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and president Masoud Pezeshkian has accused foreign powers of exploiting the country’s internal problems. (Image X @Knight_riders18)
Iran Protests: Even as protests rage across multiple cities, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and president Masoud Pezeshkian has accused foreign powers of exploiting the country’s internal problems.
“People have concerns, we should sit with them and if it is our duty, we should resolve their concerns,” Pezeshkian said. “But the higher duty is not to allow a group of rioters to come and destroy the entire society," Pezeshkian said in an interview with Iranian state television.
Protests are escalating in Iran, with the country witnessing a growing rebellion against the regime. Large numbers of people are taking to the streets, chanting slogans against the government, and engaging in acts of arson. The protests began on December 28th and have intensified since then. Clashes between protesters and security forces have occurred repeatedly, resulting in the deaths of 116 people so far. Many others have been arrested.
Meanwhile, while thousands have been arrested, the regime led by Ayatollah Khamenei has warned of even harsher measures against the protesters. The country's Attorney General, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, threatened protesters with the death penalty, stating that all those involved in the protests would be considered enemies of God.
According to a Bloomberg report, this type of offense carries the death penalty in Iran. A statement broadcast on Iranian state television said that those found assisting the rioters would also face the same charges.
According to Article 186 of Iranian law, if a group or organization engages in armed opposition against the Islamic Republic, all its members or supporters who knowingly assist in its objectives can be considered Mohareb (enemies of God), even if they did not personally participate in armed activities. Article 190 outlines extremely harsh punishments for Mohareb, including execution by hanging, death by crucifixion, amputation of the right hand and left foot, or permanent internal exile.
The protests in Iran have been ongoing for several days. They intensified on Thursday, after which the internet was shut down across the country. The internet shutdown has cut off Iranian citizens from international online services. Meanwhile, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Sunday that at least 116 people have been killed and more than 2,600 arrested during the ongoing protests.
The protests, which began in Tehran, Iran, have now spread across the country. According to Bloomberg, several deaths have been confirmed during demonstrations in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Ilam, Kermanshah, and Fars provinces. In addition, several protesters have reportedly been killed in Tehran.
While the protests in Iran have intensified, US President Donald Trump is continuously putting pressure on Iran. Trump gave a strong indication of intervention amid the ongoing protests in Iran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "Iran is perhaps closer to freedom than ever before. The United States is ready to help."
His comments came at a time when Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Trump of having the blood of Iranians on his hands.
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