Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has urged protesters in Western countries to remain focused on accountability and resist attempts to divide them over identity politics, linking the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, the situation in Gaza, the war on Iran and corruption to the same “top cabal.”

In a post on X on Friday, Qalibaf outlined the “playbook” used by those seeking to redirect public discontent, saying they shift protests “from vertical to horizontal” and then shame people for waking up.

“Hold the line,” he wrote, describing Epstein, Gaza, the war on Iran and corruption as “signals” pointing to the same “top cabal.”

By contrast, Qalibaf characterized debates over who is “native” and who is “non-native” as “noise” intended to distract the public from the issues at stake.

“Don’t let them change the subject to dodge accountability,” the top Iranian parliamentarian added.

Qalibaf’s remarks come amid growing protests in France and other European countries over rising living costs, deteriorating public services, education conditions and housing affordability, as well as demonstrations in the United States against President Donald Trump’s policies.

In France, nationwide demonstrations last week centered on the cost-of-living crisis and soaring fuel prices, with trade unions and supporters of the Yellow Vest movement joining protesters demanding better living conditions. The demonstrations followed a student-led movement that began in late September in Créteil, southeast of Paris, over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings.

The protests have since broadened, drawing students, workers and other groups. While many demonstrations have been peaceful, some have been accompanied by clashes with police and property damage in Paris and other cities, including Marseille and Lyon.

Similar discontent has surfaced elsewhere in Europe. In Italy, protests have focused on rising living costs, education and public services, with demonstrations in Milan and other cities accompanied by clashes and arrests.

In Spain and Portugal, housing shortages and soaring rents have prompted rallies and encampments, while demonstrations in Albania have reflected anger over alleged corruption, unemployment and poor education standards. Belgium has also seen protests involving students, teachers and trade unions amid wider disputes over living conditions and public services.

In the United States, anti-Trump demonstrations have continued over a range of issues, including immigration enforcement, deportations and the administration’s policies.

Nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations on October 18 drew protesters who opposed an expansion of presidential power and challenged the administration’s political agenda. Migration policy has been a major driver of the wider protest movement, with many demonstrations expressing support for migrants and opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

Trump has sought to link the protests in Europe, particularly those in France, to immigration.

Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump described the French demonstrations as a “full on revolution” and said the situation was “mostly immigration.”

“If you don't stop the immigration problem, you're not going to have a country left,” Trump said of his message to French President Emmanuel Macron, adding that he had made similar remarks to Germany and the United Kingdom.

Macron slams Trump, other foreign leaders for ‘stupid comments’ on France protests for political gain

The French president has criticized Trump and some other foreign leaders for their ‘stupid comments’ about the recent street unrest in France.

Macron, speaking during a visit to Qatar on Wednesday, criticized Trump and other foreign leaders for their comments about the French protests, noting that they are exploiting France’s domestic difficulties for political gain.

He said that “manipulation of information” following the demonstrations had led to “comments that are as unacceptable as they are stupid, from many people, including foreign leaders.”

The French president also rejected claims that migrants were responsible for the protests, saying that fabricated and misleading information had been circulated about the events.