Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi signaled a hard line on those he described as enemies of the state, saying that mercy would not be shown to anyone connected with the anti-government demonstrations that have unsettled the country since the death of Mahsa Amini in custody. He framed the unrest as a battle between rival factions within Iran, underscoring the regime’s stance that sovereignty and security must come first even as large segments of society express dissent through protests and civil action. The president’s remarks were reported as part of a broader effort to project strength and unity in the face of sustained pressure from domestic critics and international observers. (Mehr)
The president’s rhetoric painted a stark portrait of the internal struggle, describing the population as divided between loyal citizens and those who were said to have been deceived by foreign influence. He stated that the nation would not extend any leniency to traitors and warned that opponents who had helped organize demonstrations would face the consequences prescribed by law. In his view, the country’s current challenges amounted to a war among factions, with the government determined to stay the course and safeguard national cohesion. (Mehr)
Raisi also accused what he called enemies of mobilizing resources to destabilize the country by supporting uprisings. He named specific groups, including individuals who defend the monarchy and elements associated with the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran, which Tehran has designated a terrorist organization. The president suggested that these actors sought to exploit social unrest to weaken the Islamic Republic, but argued that their efforts had not achieved their aims. (Mehr)
The president asserted that external forces had exhausted their options in trying to hinder Iran’s progress, stating that the country now stood ready to advance on multiple fronts. He attributed the apparent resilience and persistence of the Iranian public to a sense of shared purpose rooted in national identity and the losses suffered by those who died for the nation. He referenced the sacrifices of martyrs as a source of inspiration, insisting that the country had learned to live with hope and that the memory of those who gave their lives remained a driving force behind continued development. (Mehr)
In a warning directed at internal dissent, Raisi claimed that the regime’s opponents had failed to bend the national will, and he asserted that the Islamic Republic’s trajectory remained steady in the face of pressure. The government has framed the protests as illegitimate disturbances that threaten public order, while supporters have described the demonstrations as expressions of political and social grievances. The government’s approach has included a crackdown that the authorities say is necessary to restore stability, though critics have criticized the scale and methods of arrests and trials. (Mehr)
Official authorities have disclosed severe measures taken against demonstrators, including convictions and long-term detentions. Public reporting indicates that some individuals have already been executed or sentenced in relation to the uprisings, while thousands more have been detained. Local media have reported that a substantial number of suspects face the death penalty, highlighting the contentious nature of the trials and the harsh penalties that critics say are disproportionate. (Etemad; Mehr)
Additionally, the Revolutionary Guards have provided updates on casualty figures tied to the protests, with estimates indicating a significant death toll since demonstrations began following Amini’s death. The authorities have maintained that the casualties reflect the gravity of the unrest and the necessity of maintaining security in the face of continued dissent. Independent rights organizations have offered varying tallies, sometimes higher than official figures, underscoring the contested nature of casualty reporting during this period of political upheaval. (Mehr; human rights NGO reporting)