Iran’s leaders face weeklong protests and the risk of foreign strikes

Iran’s rulers are confronting a week of anti-government protests at home while also preparing for the possibility of strikes from Israel and the United States, officials said, leaving leaders in what some described as survival mode. The unrest began with Tehran bazaar merchants closing their shops and spread to smaller towns, poorer areas and university campuses, with protesters chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Freedom, freedom,” according to activists and residents.

Security forces have used tear gas and beaten demonstrators, and videos and reports indicate clashes, gunfire in some western cities and at least eight protesters and two security agents killed, according to official media reports, rights groups and video footage of funerals. Officials held emergency meetings.

The Supreme National Security Council met late at night after President Trump’s public threat to intervene, three Iranian officials familiar with deliberations said. President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly acknowledged he had “no ideas” for solving Iran’s many problems and urged leaders to “listen to the people,” while Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “rioters must be put in their place,” blamed foreign enemies for economic woes and acknowledged bazaar merchants had a right to protest.

Key Topics

World, Iran, Tehran, Masoud Pezeshkian, Ali Khamenei, Israel