Iran’s judiciary and military have issued stark warnings to protesters and foreign powers as nationwide demonstrations over a crippling economic crisis intensify.
Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei declared Wednesday that authorities would show “no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic,” directly blaming the United States and Israel for inciting unrest. “Following announcements by Israel and the US president, there is no excuse for those coming to the streets for riots,” he told state media.
The protests, which have left dozens dead, erupted late last month after Tehran shopkeepers closed their businesses in response to the rial’s collapse. The currency crisis has deepened Iran’s economic troubles, fueled by government mismanagement and Western sanctions.
International tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump warned last week that America would “come to their rescue” if Iran “violently kills peaceful protesters.” Trump added the US is “locked and loaded and ready to go”—comments made seven months after joint Israeli-US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further inflamed tensions Sunday, suggesting “the Iranian people are taking their fate into their own hands.”
Major-General Amir Hatami, Iran’s new army chief who assumed command after several top officers were killed in the recent war, threatened preemptive strikes against any aggressor. “Iran’s armed forces are far more ready than before the war,” he told military students. “If the enemy commits an error, it will face a more decisive response.”
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