Enemies of Iran in recent days have utilized various means, including money, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatuses, to create problems for the Islamic system, a Tuesday report on the website of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei quoted him as saying

Iran’s Supreme Leader, who has the final say on all state matters, did not name any country but said he would explain more in the near future.

This is the first time Khamenei has commented publicly since protests over inflation and economic corruption began on Thursday in Mashhad and spread to other cities.

'Saudi behind unrest'

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani, however, named the Saudi government and its allies as the forces behind the recent unrest in Iran that has left at least 12 dead, Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

Ali Shamkhani.─File
Ali Shamkhani.─File

Speaking in an interview with Press TV, Shamkhani accused the Kingdom as well as the United States and Great Britain of waging a proxy war against Iran through Twitter and other social media website.

"Based on our analyses, around 27 percent of the new hashtags against Iran are generated by the Saudi government," he said in the interview.

Shamkhani was also quoted as saying that "Iran's progress in different spheres" is the reason its rivals are scheming against the Islamic republic.

The SNSC secretary, however, made it clear that Tehran is not bothered by the recent wave of protests and that things would boil down to normal in a matter of days.

"What is happening in Iran will be over in a few days, and there is no reason to worry at all," Shamkhani said.

Iran says Trump should focus on 'hungry' people in US

Iran's foreign ministry responded to US President Donald Trump's latest Twitter attack, saying the president should focus on “homeless and hungry people” in his own country rather than insulting Iranians.

“Instead of wasting his time sending useless and insulting tweets regarding other countries, he would be better off seeing to the domestic issues of his own country such as daily killings of dozens of people... and the existence of millions of homeless and hungry people,” said ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi.

A dozen deaths have so far been confirmed in the ongoing protests in Iran, with reports of armed protesters trying to take over police stations and military bases.

More than 400 people have been arrested in the four days of protest across Iran.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...