Iran’s Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on January 3 formally acknowledged the grievances of the nation’s merchants following recent strikes, distinguishing legitimate economic protests from organized unrest.
Addressing the recent shutdowns and demonstrations sparked by currency fluctuations, the Leader described the merchants’ demands as "rightful."
He noted that the instability of the national currency and the lack of predictability in the business environment have made it difficult for shopkeepers to operate. "The protest is justified," he stated, "but protest is different from rioting."
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that while government officials are obligated to engage in dialogue with peaceful protesters, there is no room for negotiation with those seeking to destabilize the country.
"You cannot talk to a rioter; the rioter must be dealt with firmly," he added.
The protests broke out in several markets across Iran over the past few days as the value of the Iranian rial hit new lows against the dollar. While many shopkeepers closed their doors to demand economic stability, some gatherings turned violent, an escalation the Leader attributed to foreign provocation.
Describing the merchant class as one of the most loyal sectors to the Islamic Republic and the Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei warned that "mercenaries" and "provoked individuals" should not be allowed to hijack the merchants' professional demands to shout slogans against the state.
"The current currency situation is not natural; the hand of the enemy is at work," the Leader remarked, though he assured the public that the president and top-ranking officials are actively working to remedy the crisis.
He concluded by calling for national resilience against "soft war" and foreign propaganda, asserting that the country would not back down under external pressure. "With reliance on God and the support of the people, we will bring the enemy to their knees," he said.
