Iran’s top judge has threatened protesters who incite unrest in the country with severe punishment, as the country continued to be rocked by protests for the second consecutive week.
Numerous estimates peg the total protest-related deaths to 35, while more than 2,000 have been detained along with at least 100 tagged as ‘prominent collaborators’.
The chief justice of Iran, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, said there will be no leniency for those who help the “enemy” against the Iranian government.
“If anyone comes out onto the streets to riot or to create insecurity, or supports them, then no excuse remains for them,” he said, adding, “The matter has become very clear and transparent. They are now operating in line with the enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Mohseni-Ejei’s remarks come in the wake of United States President Donald Trump’s recent threats against Iran “violently killing peaceful protesters”, which Trump said “is their custom”, and warned that “the United States of America will come to their rescue”.
Also Read: Iran protests: Death toll reaches 35; 1200 detained
Iran’s army chief has also threatened pre-emptive military action against the “rhetoric” targetting Iran.
Speaking at a students’ military academy, Major-General Abdolrahim Mousavi (who held a key position during the 12-day war with Israel) said the country would “cut off the hand of any aggressor”.
“I can say with confidence that today the readiness of Iran’s armed forces is far greater than before the war,” he warned, adding, "If the enemy commits an error, it will face a more decisive response."
Meanwhile, in the Iranian capital of Tehran, protesters set fires while thousands more joined protests in cities including Borujerd, Arsanjan, and Gilan-e Gharb.
Video footage showed demonstrators in the southern city of Shiraz being pushed back by security forces as they drove through the barriers that read: “We revolt because of hunger”.
The protests are said to have emerged as a result of Iran’s ailing economy and hyper-inflation. Although an IRGC statement on Thursday said over 80 security forces personnel, including riot control police, paramilitary, and IRGC members, have been injured in the ongoing protests, authorities say the situation is largely under control.
Besides the US, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also backed the protesters, proclaiming the world may have arrived at a moment when “the Iranian people are taking their fate into their own hands”.
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