Addressing the nation after Friday prayers on January 9, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for national unity, warning that his country will not tolerate attempts by the US to threaten its national stability.

Khamenei was speaking of the alleged violence during the ongoing nationwide protests, which began last month, over the rising economic problems in the country.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Iran had imposed a nationwide internet and mobile network ban on Thursday, after the protests spread to newer areas.

As per the reports in the media, protests were recorded at hundreds of places across the country on Thursday. Large-scale gatherings were held in the capital, Tehran, and other major Iranian cities, such as Mashhad and Isfahan.

In most places, hundreds marching on the streets shouted slogans against the failure of the government to address their economic grievances and demanded immediate actions to curb the fall of the national currency and rising prices.

As per the latest reports, the Iranian rial has fallen to over 1,35,0000 to 1 USD.

However, at various places, reports indicate, sections of protesters turned violent, attacking public transportation and private properties. The violence prompted authorities to quickly term such protesters “foreign backed rioters” and announce measures to curb the protests.

Iranian media has reported hundreds of security forces have been injured in targeted attacks on them by protesters at various places in the last week.

Unconfirmed reports indicate more than 42 people, including several security personnel, have been killed.

Genuine concerns

Reacting to the protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian assured that the country’s constitution provides for the right to peaceful protests. He also acknowledged his government’s failures to provide much required relief to the people from growing economic hardships.

Saying that “the livelihood of people is my daily concern”, Pezeshkian, in a post on X last week also claimed that his government has “fundamental actions on the agenda to reform the monetary and banking system and preserve the purchasing power of the people.”

He also called the state officials to initiate dialogue with the protesters wherever possible warning, however, that any violence by the protesters would be dealt with severely.

Sanctions and US policy fuel the crisis

Several Iranian high officials, including the chief justice of Iran, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, reportedly accused protesters of “operating in line with the enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran” and hinting at the possible involvement of the US and Israel.

The claims of external interventions were made after US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with military intervention last week over the protests. He repeated the threats on Thursday as well in a TV interview, accusing the Iranian government of repeated violence against protesters.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Wednesday, warned against any external interference. It questioned US “concerns”, claiming they are solely aimed to maximize the pressure campaign on the country to encourage violence and threaten its stability.

Iran reiterated that the international community must pressure the US to lift its unilateral coercive measures, or the unilateral sanctions, as they directly affect the daily life of the majority of Iranians and constitute a crime against humanity, PressTV reported.

The US has imposed numerous sanctions on Iran since it unilaterally withdrew from the UN backed multinational nuclear deal in 2018, under Trump’s first term in office.

The sanctions have restricted Iran’s oil and gas exports and prevented the import of various essential commodities, such as crucial medicines.

During his Friday’s address, Khamenei also accused the protesters of acting on behalf of Trump, claiming the violence was perpetrated by “mercenaries for foreigners”, accusing Trump of having Iranian blood on his hands and being irresponsible.

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