Khamenei vows crackdown amid unrest

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that the grievances behind deadly protests were justified, but accused foreign enemies of inciting the unrest and vowed a crackdown on rioters.

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"Their point was a valid one," Ayatollah Khamenei said in his first public appearance after a week of protests. However, he blamed hostile external forces for surging food prices and currency volatility that triggered the demonstrations.

"Protest is legitimate, but protest is different from unrest," he said. "We talk to protesters; officials should talk to protesters. Talking to rioters is pointless. Rioters must be put in their place."

The unrest was sparked by a collapse in Iran's rial, which fell to a record low against the US dollar last weekend. The plunge triggered protests in Tehran, prompting shop closures and demonstrations before spreading to several cities, with the central-southern province of Fars emerging as a hotspot on Saturday.