Iran's President Blames 'Rioters' As Protest Toll Reaches 203; Israel Supports 'Freedom Struggle'

Last Updated:January 11, 2026, 20:48 IST

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said officials were willing to talk with protesters, and accused the US and Israel of supporting "rioters" and stoking tensions.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed rioters for the ongoing unrest. (Reuters)

Amid widespread protests across Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian made his first televised remarks on the chaos, where he said that officials are willing to listen to protesters, but rioters are trying to “destroy the entire society."

“The people (of Iran) should not allow rioters to disrupt society. The people should believe that we (the government) want to establish justice," he told state broadcaster IRIB. “If someone who belongs to this country protests, we hear those protests, we listen, and we address them."

The Iranian President also accused of Israel and the United States of attempting to destabilising the country. “The US and Israel are sitting there, giving instructions to these people, telling them: go ahead, we are backing you. The same ones who struck this country and killed our young people and our children are now giving them orders, telling them: you do this work, we are with you," he added.

Pezeshkian also asserted that Iran will not allow any foreigners to sow seeds of discord among the nation, and no fellow citizen should create chaos inside the country. Targeting US President Donald Trump, Pezeshkian said he should be ashamed of what he is doing in Venezuela, Gaza and elsewhere.

“Families, I ask you: do not allow your young children to join rioters and terrorists who behead people and kill others," Pezeshkian appealed to protesting Iranians.

Death Toll Reaches 203

Activists said at least 203 people have been killed as the protests, which began over economic grievances, turned into a direct challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership. Demonstrations have continued for several nights across multiple cities, drawing growing international attention and concern.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which relies on activists in Iran cross-checking information, offered the new death toll of 203 on Sunday, a large jump. Of those killed, 162 are protesters and 41 are members of the security forces, it said.

Several protesters hit the streets in large numbers despite the internet blackout. The US-based Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said it had received “eyewitness accounts and credible reports indicating that hundreds of protesters have been killed across Iran during the current internet shutdown".

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani drew a line between protests over economic hardship, which he called “completely understandable", and “riots", accusing them of actions “very similar to the methods of terrorist groups", according to the Tasnim news agency.

Israel Supports ‘Struggle For Freedom’

Moreover, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel supports the Iranian people in what he described as their “struggle for freedom" and wished them success. “We think they deserve freedom… We don’t have any hostility with the people of Iran," he added.

Iran’s parliament speaker warned the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets" if America strikes the Islamic Republic, amid repeated threats by US President Trump. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf directly threatened Israel, “the occupied territory" as he referred to it, and the US military, possibly with a preemptive strike.

Khameini Hits Back At Trump’s Warning

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday took a sharp swipe at Trump, telling him to “manage his own country" after the American leader said the United States was “ready to help" amid escalating anti-government protests.

“The President of the United States declared that if the Iranian government did this or that, he would side with the rioters. The rioters have placed their hopes in him. If he is so competent, let him manage his own country then," Khamenei wrote.

Trump has spoken out strongly in favour of the protesters and warned Iranian authorities against using deadly force. He has even threatened military action “if they start killing people", a statement that further raised tensions between Washington and Tehran.

(with inputs from agencies)

News world Iran's President Blames 'Rioters' As Protest Toll Reaches 203; Israel Supports 'Freedom Struggle'

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