Khamenei acknowledges economic protests, blames 'enemy' for Iran unrest

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has broken his silence on the recent wave of national protests, acknowledging the validity of economic complaints while accusing foreign adversaries of fueling the unrest. Speaking in Tehran on Saturday, Khamenei distinguished between legitimate protest and what he described as enemy-led rioting.

Addressing economic grievances

The Iranian leader directed his comments toward the merchant class, calling them loyal supporters of the state. He conceded that their frustrations over the plummeting value of the Iranian rial and economic instability were justified. "When a bazaar merchant looks at the country’s monetary situation... he says 'I can’t do business.' He is telling the truth," Khamenei stated, noting that government officials were working to address the economic crisis.

The 'enemy hand' accusation

While validating the economic protests, Khamenei swiftly shifted to a familiar narrative, asserting that the severity of the currency crisis was "not natural." He claimed a "hand of the enemy" was behind the market turmoil and that "provoked, mercenary agents" were hijacking legitimate demonstrations to chant slogans against the Islamic Republic itself. He emphasized a critical distinction, saying officials "must talk with protesters, not with rioters."

A volatile domestic and international context

Khamenei's speech comes amid a period of significant domestic pressure in Iran, where the national currency has fallen dramatically against the U.S. dollar, triggering widespread public anger over living standards. The situation has been further inflamed by international commentary, particularly from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently vowed to "come to the rescue" of Iranian protesters—a statement Tehran condemned as interference. For nations like Türkiye, which prioritize regional stability and non-interference, such internal crises underscore the complex interplay between domestic socioeconomic issues and external geopolitical tensions.