Khamenei calls Iran protesters ‘rioters’ as 10 killed in demonstrations
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Ali Khamenei, the ruling Ayatollah of the Islamic Republic of Iran, issued an angry response on Saturday to nationwide demonstrations against his regime’s political and economic corruption.
Khamenei, 86, said in his first public address since strikes and social unrest shook his fragile regime seven days ago: “A number of uneasy people, enemy mercenaries, positioned themselves behind the bazaar merchants and chanted slogans against Islam, Iran and the Islamic Republic.
“Protest is legitimate, but protest is different from riot.” “The authorities need to talk to the protesters. Talking to a rioter is pointless. The rioters must be put in their place,” he warned.
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Khamenei’s branding of pro-democracy activists as “rebels” followed President Trump’s unprecedented message of solidarity with demonstrators on Friday.
“If Iran strikes [sic] and if they brutally murder peaceful protesters as is their custom, the United States will come to their rescue. We’re locked, loaded and ready to go,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
According to information provided to Fox News Digital by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which aims to overthrow the Khamenei regime, Khamenei’s security forces opened fire on protesters again.
Young people demonstrated in Malekshahi city of Ilam province, and regime forces shot peaceful activists, causing deaths and injuries.
In this photo published on the official website of the Iranian supreme leader’s office on June 26, 2025, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a televised speech under a portrait of the late revolution founder Ayatollah Khomeini. (Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran via AP)
As of Saturday, the regime had killed at least ten people. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said demonstrations took place in more than 100 places in 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces. NCRI said 30 protesters in Malekshahi were shot and were in critical condition.
The opposition group also said Kazerun residents demonstrated in the city’s Shohada Square on Saturday, where security fired live bullets at protesters. In Shiraz’s Golshan district, young anti-regime demonstrators blocked the road by setting tires on fire.
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A protester confronts Iranian security forces during clashes amid nationwide unrest, according to footage released by Iranian opposition group the National Council of Resistance of Iran. (NCRI)
Students at Shahrood University of Technology chanted the slogan, “Students will die, but they will not accept humiliation.” Students at Allameh University’s Hemmat dormitory in Tehran also declared “Death to the dictator”.
NCRI leader Maryam Rajavi’s response to Khamenei on Saturday included the following statements: “Khamenei is right; 80 million Iranians are his enemies. He has only one message for him: fix his rule and remove the trouble from the Iranian people. It would be even better if he comes to his senses and leaves voluntarily. Khamenei should know that threats, clamor and pressure cannot stop the uprising. A nation that takes to the streets will not step back until democracy and popularity are achieved. sovereignty is provided.”
Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran, wrote to
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“To the military and law enforcement forces: Do not tie your fate to the sinking ship of the Islamic Republic. Join the people and separate yourself from this corrupt system. Your weapons are for defending the nation, not for suppressing it. Those who fire bullets at the people can be sure that they will be detected and punished. My fellow citizens, do not leave the streets, increase your presence. The world sees your resistance and courage and supports you.”
