Ayatollah Khamenei: Legitimate Protests Are Valid, but Unrest Serves the Enemy
WANA (Jan 03) – Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, addressed recent developments in the country on Saturday during a meeting at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya in Tehran. His remarks were delivered on the anniversary of the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani and coincided with the birth anniversary of Imam Ali, during a gathering with the families of Soleimani, his companions, and a group of families known as the “martyrs of national power.”
In his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized the historical and social role of Iran’s merchant class, describing bazaar traders as one of the most loyal segments of society to the Islamic Republic.
He rejected claims that recent economic protests represent opposition by the market sector to the political system, stressing that the demands raised by traders reflect genuine economic concerns.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, on the anniversary of the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. Social media / WANA News Agency
Ayatollah Khamenei acknowledged that complaints over the decline in the value of the national currency and the instability of exchange rates are legitimate. He noted that such volatility undermines the business environment and makes economic planning difficult.
According to him, senior officials, including the president and other high-ranking authorities, recognize the severity of the issue and are actively seeking solutions.
The Supreme Leader described the sharp and repeated fluctuations in foreign currency prices as “unnatural,” attributing them partly to hostile external interference.
He said persistent instability—where exchange rates rise and fall unpredictably—prevents merchants from operating with certainty. While reaffirming that the government is working to stabilize the market, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that the core economic grievances voiced by protesters are justified.
Tehran Protests as Tehran–Tel Aviv Tensions Peak
WANA (DEC 30) – Tehran’s Grand Bazaar witnessed a protest gathering yesterday, beginning at around 11:30 a.m. near Hafez Bridge and the Alaeddin Shopping Center in central Tehran. The demonstration later spread to Chaharsou, Lalehzar, Istanbul Square, and parts of Jomhouri Street. The number of protesters is estimated at 200-300. Protesters cited sharp fluctuations […]
At the same time, Ayatollah Khamenei drew a clear line between protest and unrest. He stated that peaceful protest is acceptable and that officials should engage in dialogue with protesters, but warned that disorder, violence, and attempts to create insecurity are unacceptable.
He claimed that groups he described as “provoked agents of the enemy” had sought to exploit economic protests by chanting slogans against Islam, Iran, and the Islamic Republic.
Adding strategic context, Ayatollah Khamenei further stressed the need to recognize the enemy’s actions. He said, “The enemy never remains idle and exploits every opportunity.”
Referring to recent events, he noted that adversaries saw a chance to intervene, but Iranian officials “have been and will remain present on the ground,” emphasizing that the decisive factor is the nation as a whole. Drawing on the legacy of General Soleimani, he said that what truly matters are faith, sincerity, and action. He also highlighted the importance of not remaining indifferent to the enemy’s “soft war” and disinformation campaigns.
The Supreme Leader added that when attempts are made to impose demands on the country, the government, or the nation in a coercive manner, Iran must respond with full strength and determination. “We will not retreat in the face of the enemy,” he said, expressing confidence that through reliance on God and with the support of the people, Iran will ultimately prevail.
Iran Unrest in Washington’s Spotlight; What Message Is Trump Sending?
WANA (Jan 02) – The recent stance of U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the protests in Iran has been accompanied by numerous reactions both inside and outside of Iran. In a message published on the social network “Truth Social,” Trump announced that if protesters in Iran are “violently killed,” the United States is ready to […]
He described the strong motivation of the Iranian nation as a source of concern for ill-wishers, adding that one of the tools used by the enemy—along with certain corrupt or negligent individuals—in the arena of soft war is the denial of the Iranian nation’s assets and capabilities. Neglecting national capacities, he warned, paves the way for humiliation and submission to the enemy.
He cited the launch of three satellites into space in a single day, as well as the country’s striking advances in various scientific fields—including aerospace, biotechnology, medicine and healthcare, nanotechnology, and the defense and missile industries—as examples of the great achievements of the Iranian nation and its capable, elite youth.
He said that the enemy—and unfortunately some at home as well—conceal these major accomplishments, which have been achieved under sanctions, and fail to convey them to the public.
Iran’s Satellite Launch Sends a Message: A Leading Power in the New Global Order
WANA (Dec 28) – Iran’s space industry today witnessed one of its most significant achievements in recent years. Three domestically developed satellites—Zafar-2, Paya, and the upgraded Kowsar—were successfully launched a short time ago into low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of about 500 kilometers by the Russian Soyuz launch vehicle from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome. […]
Ayatollah Khamenei added that the factor which compelled the enemy to call for a halt to the war and later send messages saying “we do not want to fight you” was the power and capability of the Iranian nation. “Of course,” he said, “we have no trust in the words of a malicious, deceptive, and lying enemy.”
Referring to the average age of 26 among the scientists involved in the recent launch of three satellites, he described this as a clear example of the immense human capital of the Iranian nation.
He added that when that American ranter speaks about the Iranian nation, he alternates between insults and deception through empty promises. “But fortunately,” he said, “today the Iranian nation—and indeed the whole world—has come to know America, and the veil has been lifted from its disgrace before the world.”
The Leader of the Revolution described true recognition of the enemy as a major achievement, adding that during the 12-day war, the people themselves saw the reality of America. Even those who believed that negotiation with the United States was the solution to the country’s problems realized that, in the midst of negotiations, the U.S. government was actively preparing plans for war.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, on the anniversary of the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. Social media / WANA News Agency
He stressed the necessity of vigilance against soft warfare, doubt-casting, and rumor-mongering by the enemy, and, referring to the billions of dollars spent to disseminate false narratives inside Iran through television networks and media outlets, said that their objective is to weaken the country and undermine the miraculous unity displayed by the nation during the 12-day war.
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The recent protests in Iran began in recent week amid mounting economic pressure, particularly following sharp fluctuations in the foreign exchange market. The depreciation of the national currency, rising import costs, and ongoing uncertainty over exchange rates placed growing strain on businesses—especially merchants and small traders—leading to demonstrations in several cities.
While the protests initially focused on economic demands, Iranian officials say that in some cases they were accompanied by groups attempting to transform them into politically driven and sometimes disruptive actions.
This distinction between legitimate economic protest and organized unrest formed the core message of Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks, a point he framed as crucial for understanding Iran’s current situation at both the domestic and international levels.
