Millions Protest in Iran: “Crushing Response,” Deterrent Stance, Confirmation of People’s Commitment to System, Awareness of Conspiracies
The massive marches and demonstrations witnessed in Iranian provinces revealed the true and unwavering stance of the Iranian people, who reject the acts of rioting and sabotage that targeted lives, public and private property, and religious sites, serving a hostile foreign agenda.
They also affirmed the Iranian people’s support for the system and its institutions in confronting any course of action targeting this ancient nation, which faces conspiracies from global powers of arrogance and tyranny.
Millions of Iranians took to the streets and public squares in various provinces on Monday to express their condemnation and rejection of the riots that swept the country in recent days, and to reject foreign interference in their internal affairs.
Protests that thwarted the enemies’ plans
The massive Iranian demonstrations proved the failure of Iran’s enemies’ plans, particularly those of the US and Zionist entity. In a magnificent display, the Iranian people in every province stood with their leadership and government against the rioters supported by the US and the Zionist entity. These rioters diverted the legitimate demands of the Iranian people into widespread chaos, aiming to plunge this Islamic country into the clutches of fragmentation, disintegration, and ruin.
The demonstrators also emphasized their adherence to the Islamic system and their support for state institutions. They delivered firm messages rejecting terrorism and any foreign interference in Iranian affairs, affirming that the Iranian public is aware of the nature of what is happening and stands united in confronting these challenges.
Riots orchestrated by the US and Zionist entity
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted that “the riots are being orchestrated by the United States and the Zionist entity with the aim of destabilizing Iran’s security and stability.”
In a statement to Iranian television, Pezeshkian ridiculed American and Zionist claims of defending human rights, pointing out that “those who commit crimes in Gaza and Lebanon claim to be defending human rights in Iran.”
He said, “The people of the country protest and object, but they do not set fire to markets or commit crimes,” emphasizing that the government is “determined to continue its economic reforms and distinguishes between legitimate protests and riots.”
The Iranian president explained that “some terrorist elements have entered from outside the country,” adding that “there are a number of trained elements inside the country and another number of terrorists brought in from abroad to carry out acts of sabotage.”
A Firm Public Stance Against Sabotage
In the face of the sabotage and criminal acts perpetrated by instigators, which led to the martyrdom of a number of security personnel and demonstrators with legitimate demands, the Iranian people did not remain silent or neutral. Instead, they took to the streets and squares to express their rejection of these acts aimed at plunging the country into widespread chaos.
Iranian affairs researcher Ahmed Farouk told Al-Mayadeen Net that the massive pro-Islamic Republic rallies in Iran demonstrated the regime’s overwhelming popular support in the face of protests aimed at either overthrowing the government or fundamentally altering its structure.
Political researcher and university professor Mohammed Shams echoed this sentiment, stating that “the massive rallies significantly countered the protests and riots that their instigators attempted to portray as representative of the Iranian people’s stance.” However, he acknowledged that the possibility remains that external support and incitement, along with American threats against Tehran, could drive rioters back to the streets.
Shams further noted that the massive demonstrations and rallies underscored the resilience of both the government and the existing regime in Iran, particularly given that these rallies followed a speech by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in which he distinguished between legitimate protesters and rioters.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s Message and Its Implications
Amidst this backdrop, Ayatollah Khamenei’s message following the massive demonstrations imbued them with profound political significance, transforming them from a mere field event into a strategic cornerstone of the state’s discourse. In his message, Ayatollah Khamenei praised what he termed the “great deed” accomplished by the Iranian people, emphasizing that these vast crowds “wrote a historic day” and thwarted the plans of foreign enemies, which were to be implemented by mercenaries within the country.
In his message, it became clear that the Iranian leadership interpreted the gatherings as a defensive act against the political and social fabric of the state, not merely as emotional or circumstantial displays. He asserted that the people had demonstrated their resolve, determination, and identity in the face of their enemies, issuing a direct warning to American politicians to put an end to what he termed “deception” and to cease relying on “treacherous mercenaries.”
According to the website “Al-Khanadiq,” Ayatollah Khamenei’s language focused on the concepts of strength, awareness, and constant presence, as he emphasized that the Iranian people are “strong and capable, aware and know their enemy, and present on the scene in all circumstances.”
These statements reflect a fundamental duality in Iranian discourse: first, that the conflict is not merely a security confrontation with internal violent groups, but rather a political confrontation with external forces; and second, that the most important guarantee for the state’s continuity is not only its institutions and apparatus, but also the people, who are called upon in times of crisis to provide a “testimony of presence” that reinforces the regime’s legitimacy and cohesion.
In addition to the Supreme Leader’s message, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the nation at length following these massive demonstrations, framing the crowds as a “crushing response” to the enemies’ malicious schemes.
Pezeshkian addressed the Iranian people in a heartfelt and appreciative tone, saying, “O great and noble people of Iran, I salute the greatness of your strong will and your steadfast presence.” He emphasized that the impressive gathering demonstrated unprecedented vigilance and responsibility in protecting religious and national values and showcasing national strength in the face of “the oppressive enemy and its terrorist proxies.”
In this sense, President Pezeshkian presented the marches as an expression of a unifying national identity, not merely a political alignment.
The West’s Response to the Demonstrations
To understand the West’s response, despite its support for the protests, to the pro-government and pro-regime demonstrations, political analyst Shams asserts that the Western world has focused its efforts on downplaying and ignoring these demonstrations, while attempting to continue highlighting the protests and riots that have gripped the country over the past two weeks. This is confirmed by statements from the heads of several Western countries and their allies, who are hostile to Iran.
Despite all this, the West suffered another setback, as its plan, spearheaded by the United States and Israel, to weaken the Iranian regime from within is facing a resounding failure, according to Shams.
A Battle of Wills
The messages from Sayyed Khamenei to President Pezeshkian, along with the scenes on the ground, reveal that Iran is treating the events as a battle of wills: one will aimed at consolidating the regime and fortifying the state from within, versus another will seeking to create societal and security divisions through unrest, according to the website “Al-Khanadiq.”
While Tehran’s adversaries interpret any internal protest as an opportunity to weaken it, the Iranian people are reaffirming their strong stance against acts of sabotage, rioting, and chaos, and are also emphasizing their resilience and determination to regain the initiative.
Amid escalating internal and regional tensions, these marches, and the messages of Sayyed Khamenei and President Pezeshkian, appear to be a dual political declaration: firstly, that the street is present in the equation of power, and secondly, that the state wants to close the door to any external bet on dismantling the Iranian interior and plunging the country into utter chaos.