Iran's leader says rioters 'must be put in their place'
ABC News••nation
Key Points:
- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for rioters to be "put in their place," signaling a potential harsh crackdown on ongoing protests sparked by economic hardships, which have resulted in at least 10 deaths.
- The protests, the largest since 2022, have spread to over 100 locations across 22 provinces, with demonstrators expressing anger over the collapsing rial and broader dissatisfaction with the Islamic Republic's governance.
- Khamenei accused foreign powers, including the U.S. and Israel, of inciting unrest without providing evidence, while hard-line factions push for aggressive responses despite some officials advocating dialogue.
- Recent violence includes a grenade explosion in Qom and an attack in Harsin that killed a Basij param
