New Delhi, Jan 4: Amid continuing protests in Iran and growing international scrutiny, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warned against what he described as foreign attempts to exploit domestic unrest, saying the country must remain vigilant against “enemy intervention” and psychological warfare.
Ayatollah Khamenei said during a meeting with families of martyrs in Tehran that while protest is legitimate, it must be clearly distinguished from riots.
“Protest is justified, but protest is different from riot. We talk to the protester; talking to rioters is useless,” he said, accusing hostile powers of using grievances to destabilise Iran as reported by IRNA news agency of Irn. Referring to economic protests, particularly by business communities, the Iranian leader said concerns over currency instability were real but claimed that “the hand of the enemy” was involved in worsening the situation. His remarks come as the United States has warned Iran against external intervention, even as demonstrations continue in several parts of the country.