The ruling Ayatollah of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei, reacted angrily on Saturday to the unfolding nationwide demonstrations against his regime’s political and economic corruption.
Khamenei, 86, in his first public speech since strikes and social unrest rocked his fragile regime seven days ago, said: “A number of agitated people, hostile mercenaries, had lined up behind bazaar traders and chanted slogans against Islam, against Iran and against the Islamic Republic.
“Protest is legitimate, but protest is different from rioting.” He warned that “officials must speak to protesters. There is no point in speaking to a rioter. Rioters must be put in their place.”
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Khamenei’s branding of the pro-democracy activists as “rioters” follows President Trump’s unprecedented message of solidarity to Friday’s protesters.
‘If Iran shoots [sic] and violently kills peaceful demonstrators, as is their custom, the United States of America will come to their aid. We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
In Malekshahi, Ilam province, youth demonstrated and regime forces shot peaceful activists, killing and injuring them.
In this photo released on June 26, 2025 by the official website of the Iranian Supreme Leader’s Office, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a televised address under a portrait of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
On Saturday the regime killed at least ten people. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said demonstrations took place in more than 100 locations in 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces. The NCRI said 30 protesters in Malekshahi were shot and were in critical condition.
The dissident group also said residents of Kazerun demonstrated in the city’s Shohada Square on Saturday, where security fired live ammunition at protesters. Young anti-regime protesters in Shiraz’s Golshan district blocked the road by burning tires.
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A protester is confronted by Iranian security forces during clashes amid nationwide unrest, according to images released by Iran’s opposition group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran. (NCRI)
Students at Shahrood University of Technology chanted: “Students will die, but will not accept humiliation.” And students at the Hemmat Dormitory of Tehran’s Allameh University declared: “Death to the dictator.”
NCRI leader Maryam Rajavi’s response to Khamenei on Saturday noted that “Khamenei is right; 80 million Iranians are his enemy. They have only one message for him: seize his rule and remove his scourge from the Iranian people. Better yet if he comes to his senses and leaves of his own accord. Khamenei must know that threats, agitation and repression cannot stop the uprising it has achieved.”
Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, wrote on
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“To the military and law enforcement agencies: do not tie your fate to the sinking ship of the Islamic Republic. Join the people and separate from this corrupt system. Your weapons are to defend the nation, not to oppress it. Those who fire bullets at the people must be assured that they will be identified and punished. Compatriots: do not leave the streets; increase your presence. The world sees your resistance and courage and stands with you.”
