Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that “rioters must be put in their place” following a week of nationwide protests fueled by Iran’s worsening economic crisis and the collapse of the rial. In his first public remarks since the unrest began, the 86-year-old leader sought to distinguish between peaceful protesters with economic grievances and what he described as violent “rioters.” Speaking in Tehran, Khamenei said officials should engage with protesters but insisted there was no benefit in negotiating with rioters. He again blamed foreign powers, including the United States and Israel, for inciting the unrest, without presenting evidence, and accused “the enemy” of exploiting traders and shopkeepers to chant slogans against the Islamic Republic. The protests, the largest since the 2022 demonstrations triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, have reportedly left at least 10 people dead. The unrest comes amid heightened international tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran against violently suppressing protesters and claimed the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key ally of Iran.