Iran rejects bowing to “enemy” as US warns against suppressing rioters

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called for an intensified crackdown on foreign-backed rioters, saying Iran will not bow to “the enemy.”

"We will not back down in the face of the enemy. By relying on God Almighty and trusting in the support of the people, we will bring the enemy to his knees with divine success," said the Leader after blaming the foreign enemies for depreciations of the rial and its fluctuations, per Mehr.

He pointed to recent protests held in Tehran by traders and shopkeepers over the currency fluctuations, saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran respects the right to protest while it cannot tolerate riots.

"The uncontrolled rise in foreign currency prices [against the rial] is not natural and is the work of the enemy, which has to be stopped," he said, stressing that "We talk to the protestor, but there's no point in talking to the rioter."

"A bunch of mercenaries hired by the enemy infiltrated in the ranks of the shopkeepers and traders and chanted anti-Islam, anti-Iran, and anti-Islamic Republic slogans," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Khamenei said the enemy is behind the economic problems in the country through the rial depreciation. 

The remarks come as protests, sparked late December by the rial plunging to record lows (around 1.4-1.45 million to the US dollar), have spread to dozens of cities and escalated into anti-regime chants, with at least 10 deaths reported in clashes and security forces deploying tear gas and live ammunition. Demonstrations began with bazaar merchants shuttering shops over inflation exceeding 40-50% and sharp rises in food prices, quickly involving students and evolving into broader political demands, including calls for Khamenei's ouster and pro-monarchy slogans.

The unrest marks the largest since 2022-2023, fueled by years of US sanctions, a June 2025 war with Israel involving US strikes on nuclear sites, and domestic mismanagement. President Masoud Pezeshkian has signalled readiness for talks on "legitimate demands" and appointed a new central bank governor, but hardliners push for tougher measures.

US President Donald Trump has warned of potential intervention if protesters are violently suppressed, drawing sharp rebukes from Tehran. International reactions highlight concerns over escalating repression and regional implications.

By Khagan Isayev