Iran leaders warn protesters and foreign foes as deadly unrest ramps up

"Iran's top judge warned protesters who have taken to the streets during a spiralling economic crisis there will be no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic, accusing the US and Israel of sowing chaos. Following announcements by Israel and the US president, there is no excuse for those coming to the streets for riots and unrest, said Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei on Wednesday in comments on the deadly protests carried by Fars news agency."

"Amid growing unrest, Iran is under international pressure after US President Donald Trump threatened last week that if Tehran violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. His threat accompanied by an assertion that the US is locked and loaded and ready to go came seven months after Israeli and US forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites in a 12-day war."

"Speaking to military academy students, Major-General Amir Hatami who took over as commander-in-chief of Iran's army after a slew of top military commanders were killed in Israel's 12-day war said the country would cut off the hand of any aggressor. I can say with confidence that today the readiness of Iran's armed forces is far greater than before the war. If the enemy commits an error, it will face a more decisive response, said Hatami."

Iran's top judge warned protesters there will be no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic, accusing the US and Israel of sowing chaos. The chief justice said recent announcements by Israel and the US president remove any excuse for riots or unrest. Growing unrest has placed Iran under international pressure after the US president threatened intervention if Tehran violently kills peaceful protesters and after Israeli and US forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites months earlier. Iran's army chief vowed preemptive action and said armed forces readiness is greater and any aggressor will face a decisive response.

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