Separating Protest from Riots: Iran’s Security–Judicial Strategy in Responding to Recent Unrest
WANA (Jan 07) – Amid Iran’s recent security developments, parallel statements by the country’s top law-enforcement commander and the head of the judiciary offer a clear picture of the state’s approach to distinguishing “protest” from “riot” and managing the latest unrest—an approach that emphasizes a combination of judicial firmness, targeted security measures, and social engagement.
Ahmadreza Radan, Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (FARAJA), has repeatedly and explicitly stressed the fundamental distinction between civil protest and organized rioting. According to Radan, protest—even when critical or tense—can be defined and addressed within the framework of law, whereas rioting is a fundamentally different phenomenon, centered on disrupting public security.
From the law-enforcement chief’s perspective, rioting is not merely a spontaneous act; in many cases, it is the product of planning, direction, and support by foreign intelligence and security services.
On this basis, Radan has stated unequivocally that confronting rioters will continue “to the very last individual”—a phrase that extends not only to those active on the ground but also to individuals who, in cyberspace, disseminate, reproduce, or promote riot-related narratives.
Protests in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on January 06, 2026. Social media/ WANA News Agency
He has emphasized that those who repost or amplify content online designed by foreign intelligence and security services to create insecurity will be regarded as active participants in rioting and will be subject to legal prosecution.
On the judicial front, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, Head of Iran’s Judiciary, has adopted a parallel stance, declaring that no leniency or concession toward rioters is on the agenda.
According to Mohseni-Ejei, the current situation differs fundamentally from previous periods in several respects. Most notably, there is now open and undisguised support by external actors—including the Israeli regime and U.S. officials—for those involved in riots. In his view, this overt backing strips claims of “ignorance” or “being misled” of any credibility.
Referring to what he described as the complete clarification of the “scene of confrontation,” Mohseni-Ejei stressed that no excuses will be accepted from individuals who join the riots, support them, or play a logistical or media role in sustaining them.
In this context, the Judiciary has established special branches to handle riot-related cases. These branches, staffed by experienced judges, are tasked with reviewing cases swiftly, accurately, and in strict accordance with legal standards.
A key emphasis in the judiciary chief’s remarks was the importance of thorough documentation from the earliest stages of arrest and preliminary investigations. He has instructed judicial officers and law-enforcement forces to ensure that cases are well-argued and properly documented from the outset, so that judicial proceedings are not hindered in either speed or accuracy.
From the judiciary’s standpoint, delays in trials and verdicts weaken the deterrent effect of judicial action. Consequently, expedited trials—alongside adherence to the principles of fair process—have been defined as a strategic priority.
At the same time, Mohseni-Ejei has underlined the need for a careful distinction between core riot elements and individuals who may have been present incidentally or without playing an effective role.
He has warned against ensnaring passersby or individuals with no security-related involvement, framing this as an effort to present a law-based image of security responses and to avoid extending punitive measures to the broader social body.
People walk past closed shops following protests over a plunge in the currency’s value, in the Tehran Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, December 30, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
The social and economic dimensions of these positions have also been addressed. Acknowledging that some labor-related protests may stem from genuine problems—including currency fluctuations and economic instability—the head of the judiciary announced the involvement of the General Inspection Organization and the formation of special committees to examine these issues.
Within this framework, individuals found to have played a role in creating or exacerbating such problems will be required to account for their actions.
From a security perspective, one of FARAJA’s main priorities has been identified as detecting and pursuing the “behind-the-scenes actors” of the riots—figures who may not be physically present on the ground and who often maintain direct or indirect links abroad.
This approach frames those protests that have turned violent not merely as a domestic phenomenon, but as part of a broader pattern of external pressure aimed at internal destabilization.
Iran’s Supreme Leader has also addressed the issue in recent remarks, emphasizing the necessity of a clear distinction between protest and rioting, thereby outlining the overarching framework of the state’s view of recent developments. As he put it, “Protest is legitimate, but protest is different from rioting”—a perspective that recognizes protest as a communicable and negotiable action while drawing a firm line against insecurity.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei further stated: “We speak to the protester; officials must speak to the protester. Speaking to a rioter is of no use. A rioter must be put in their place.”
Overall, the convergence of rhetoric and action between law-enforcement forces and the judiciary—aligned with the Supreme Leader’s position—points to the formation of a coherent security-judicial strategy in Iran. Within this framework, lawful protest is acknowledged, but organized rioting—particularly under conditions of open foreign support—is treated as a red line.
This approach reflects an effort by the Iranian state to manage two levels of crisis simultaneously: on the one hand, the swift and decisive containment of insecurity; on the other, the control and reduction of the social roots of discontent within formal and legal structures.
The recent protests in Iran emerged against a backdrop of economic and labor-related grievances—grievances that officials themselves have partly attributed to currency volatility, rising living costs, and market instability.
The gatherings initially began with economic demands and calls for accountability from officials, but according to official statements, in some areas they later veered away from protest, as organized groups entered the scene and the situation escalated into clashes, damage to public property, and disruption of urban order.
According to official announcements, judicial handling of these cases is proceeding through special mechanisms outside time-consuming routine processes, while law-enforcement bodies continue to focus on maintaining field control and preventing the spread of unrest.
LATEST UPDATES ON PROTEST GATHERINGS IN IRAN – JAN 19
WANA – Our team is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding protests in Iran and sharing key updates here. ……………………… Due to the internet shutdown in Iran, we were unable to provide timely updates over the past few days. Access has improved somewhat, and we will resume sharing news from Iran as quickly as possible. […]
