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Iran continued to boil up in nationwide protests, even as top judge Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei warned that there will be "no leniency" shown towards those helping the enemy against the Islamic Republic, accusing the US and Israel of inciting chaos and unrest.
"Following announcements by Israel and the US President, there is no excuse for those coming to the streets for riots and unrest," Ejei, the head of Iran's judiciary, was quoted as saying by state media.
"From now on, there will be no leniency for whoever helps the enemy against the Islamic Republic and the calm of the people," he added.
Last week, US President Donald Trump threatened that Washington would step in if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters". He further said that the US is "locked and loaded and ready to go". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also backed the protesters on Sunday, saying that it is quite possible the Iranians "are taking their fate into their own hands".
The statements by the US and Israel come seven months after Iran's nuclear sites were bombed during a 12-day war. Iran has been battling the biggest wave of protests in three years, which started in Tehran's centuries-old Grand Bazaar last month after shopkeepers shut down their businesses over the degradation of Iran's rial currency. Unrest has since spread across the country amid distress over economic woes driven by Western sanctions, mismanagement and restrictions on political and social freedoms.
Following Ejei's warning, Iranian Army chief, Major-General Amir Hatami, threatened preemptive military action over the "rhetoric" targeting Iran. He said Tehran would "cut off the hand of any aggressor", asserting that the armed forces are "far greater than before the war". "If the enemy commits an error, it will face a more decisive response."
Over 30 people have been killed in the protests so far and thousands have been arrested. Iranian authorities have not shared the death toll for protesters, but said that at least two members of the security services have died and more than a dozen have been injured. Videos of the protests have been flooding social media, with some showing people taking the Islamic Republic's flag down and shredding it everywhere.
EXILED CROWN PRINCE BACKS PROTESTERS
Reza Pahlavi, exiled son of Iran's late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi – who was toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has praised the "unprecedented" turnout at the protests and called it a clear signal of people's readiness for the next phase of demonstrations.
"In these decisive moments, I expect you to return to the embrace of the nation and to use your weapons not to fire at people, but to protect them," he said in a video posted on X, urging Iranian security forces to be on the side of the citizens.
Pahlavi urged Iranians to mobilise again on January 8, warning that the regime is "deeply frightened" and may attempt to "shut down the internet". "You will be victorious. Long live Iran."
The 65-year-old last heir to Iran's now-defunct monarchy has lived overseas for more than four decades since the US-backed Shah was overthrown in the 1979 uprising led by Ruhollah Khomeini.
IRAN SUPREME LEADER SPEAKS OUT
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed defiance not to yield after the US and Israeli pressure amid the nationwide protests. Speaking in a recorded appearance last weekend, he said the Islamic Republic "will not yield to the enemy" and that rioters should be "put in their place".
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Published On:
Jan 8, 2026
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