Iran recognizes rightful protests but stands firmly against terrorists: Parliament speaker

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says Iran recognizes people’s peaceful protests over economic concerns, but stands firmly against armed terrorists.

He made the remarks during an open session of Parliament on Sunday in the face of foreign-linked sporadic riots across the country.

“Today, the Iranian nation has decided firmly to stand against armed terrorists … We will recognize rightful protests and will seriously investigate them, while standing against terrorists,” he said.

The top legislator also noted that Iran is simultaneously fighting on four fronts of the economic, cognitive, military, and terrorist wars with the United States and the Israeli regime.

The enemies entered the terrorist war against Iran after they suffered a defeat during last year’s military aggression, he said, referring to the illegal US-Israeli war that killed at least 1,064 Iranians between June 13 and 24, 2025.

The enemies waged the terrorist war by exploiting the Iranians’ rightful demands for better economic conditions in recent days, he added.

“Those who openly call themselves foreign mercenaries, betraying their own homeland to appease the US President [Donald Trump] and transforming into Daesh operatives, and initiating a terrorist war – let them know that we will confront them with the most severe measures,” said Qalibaf. 

“Those we apprehend will be punished, and those armed will face a harsh and uncompromising response,” he warned, adding, “They are striking at public property, banks, shops, vehicles, and so on, operating in the manner of Daesh, showing no mercy even to women and children.”

Meanwhile, the Parliament speaker stressed that the Iranian nation and Armed Forces remain vigilant in the face of terrorists’ crimes, which are reminiscent of those committed by the US-created Daesh terror outfit.

He also issued a direct warning to the "deluded" US President. 

"Be wary of the advice you receive regarding an attack on Iran; ensure it's not the same kind of advice that falsely claimed Mashhad had fallen," he said, referring to a post by Trump days ago in which he had falsely claimed Mashhad had fallen to rioters. 

"To prevent miscalculation, understand that should you take action to attack Iran, both the occupied territories and all American military centers, bases, and ships in the region will be legitimate targets," Qalibaf warned.

"I had to convey this to you and all your allies in the region," added the Parliament speaker. 

Some shopkeepers last week staged limited street protests in several Iranian cities over economic instability, but the demonstrations were steered toward violence after public statements by US and Israeli figures—amplified by Israeli-linked Persian-language outlets—encouraged vandalism and disorder.

Authorities have acknowledged the legitimacy of peaceful economic grievances and vowed to address them, while blaming foreign-backed elements for exploiting concerns over rising living costs and the depreciation of the national currency, which is directly linked to unilateral US sanctions targeting Iran’s central bank and oil exports.

Protests turned into armed riots since Thursday night, inflicting damage to public and private property and claiming lives of dozens of security forces and civilians across several Iranian cities.

Authorities say security and judicial agencies have dismantled several armed terror cells and detained foreign-linked operatives amid the violence.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Friday that the Islamic Republic “will not back down against vandals” and will not tolerate those acting as foreign mercenaries.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council also issued a statement on Friday, noting that the recent riots were “planned and directed by Israel and the United States,” calling them part of ongoing “hybrid warfare.”

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