In a dramatic escalation amid widespread unrest, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has directed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to maintain the highest state of alert. This order comes as protests fueled by economic hardship and soaring living costs rage across dozens of cities, entering their third week.
The IRGC, in a televised address, warned demonstrators to stay within limits, emphasizing that safeguarding national security is a non-negotiable red line. Public property protection has been vowed by the forces, amid reports of intensifying clashes between protesters and security personnel.
These demonstrations, which erupted on December 28, have spread nationwide despite a nationwide internet blackout imposed by authorities. Human rights groups report at least 50-60 deaths, including children, from the violence. The IRGC’s intelligence wing labeled the unrest as ‘terrorist riots,’ vowing to dismantle any foreign-backed plots.
Senior Iranian officials revealed to The Telegraph that Khamenei’s alert level for the IRGC surpasses even that during last year’s conflict with Israel. ‘The Leader has ordered Sepah (IRGC) to the highest preparedness, more than during the June war,’ one official stated, underscoring Khamenei’s deep trust in the elite force over regular army or police.
Underground ‘missile cities’ have been activated to counter external threats, officials added. Khamenei himself branded protesters as ‘rioters’ aiming to please former US President Donald Trump, who had threatened strikes if Tehran cracks down harshly. Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged demonstrators to seize cities, while judicial authorities threaten death penalties.
International watchdogs like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the security forces’ brutal response. As Tehran and other urban centers witness ongoing violent skirmishes, the Islamic Republic shows no signs of backing down, prioritizing the defense of the 1979 Revolution above all.
