Hosseyn Shariatmadari Calls Protesters 'The Dregs of ISIS'

In response to recent protests in Iran, the representative of the Supreme Leader in the Kayhan newspaper, Hossein Shariatmadari, referred to the protesters as 'a bunch of rioters' and claimed they are 'not even at the level of the dregs of ISIS,' adding that their 'peak of bravery is setting garbage bins on fire and tearing down street fences.' The newspaper's front page also stated that the 'message' of the 9 Dey rally is to 'clear the chaos-makers.' The 9 Dey rally in 2009 was held in response to protests against the presidential election results of that year and has been repeated by various Iranian institutions in subsequent years. Meanwhile, Masoud Jazayeri, spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces, on Monday, January 1, described the support of American officials for the protesters as evidence of Washington's plan to 'ignite a new sedition in Iran.' He referred to what he called 'harassment actions' by the U.S., Israel, and their supporters against the Islamic Republic and asserted that these actions would fail, stating that 'it is obvious that the Islamic Republic of Iran will use its rights to retaliate at the appropriate time.' Previously, several Friday prayer leaders and officials of the Islamic Republic have labeled the recent protests as 'American, Israeli, and anti-Islam' and a 'new plot by enemies to overthrow the Islamic Republic.' In this context, the White House issued a statement late Sunday, U.S. time, reaffirming its support for peaceful protests in Iran. In recent days, the U.S. President, the State Department, and several U.S. lawmakers have expressed support for the peaceful protests in Iran. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, tweeted on Sunday about the 'widespread protests in Iran,' stating, 'The people are finally realizing how their money and wealth are being stolen and spent on terrorism. It seems that will no longer be the case.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry previously reacted to the U.S. President's statements, describing them as 'hypocritical and interventionist.' Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in his first response to the recent protests, without naming the U.S. President, stated that he 'called the Iranian people terrorists a few months ago' and 'has no right to show sympathy for the Iranian people.' Meanwhile, Bahram Sarmast, the Director General of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, on Monday, called on interested parties to submit requests for gatherings to the Ministry of Interior, stating that the ministry's approach to requests for gatherings is 'positive.' These remarks come despite Article 27 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution stating: 'The formation of gatherings and marches, without carrying weapons, is free, provided that it does not disrupt the principles of Islam.' In Iranian law, there are complex conditions for issuing permits for gatherings or marches, and the Ministry of Interior has only approved a few requests in recent years. Groups wishing to hold gatherings or marches must also provide 'complete details of the executive and security officials' to the Ministry of Interior, in addition to matters such as the subject and timing of the march. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Interior has rarely issued permits for marches and gatherings in recent years, including rejecting requests from Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, leaders of the 2009 presidential election protests and their supporting parties. Additionally, there have been crackdowns on workers' protests in recent years.