Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday issued a stern warning amid nationwide protests, saying “rioters must be put in their place,” a remark widely seen as endorsing a tougher security crackdown.

His first public comments come as demonstrations driven by economic hardship enter their second week, with human rights groups reporting at least 15 deaths and more than 580 arrests across the country.

Protests have spread to over 170 locations in 25 provinces, making them the largest unrest since 2022, though still less intense than the demonstrations sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death.

Khamenei sought to distinguish between citizens protesting economic conditions and what he described as “rioters,” blaming foreign enemies, including the United States and Israel, for stirring unrest. He also blamed outside forces for the sharp fall of Iran’s currency.

The protests follow warnings from US President Donald Trump, who said Washington would respond if peaceful demonstrators were violently suppressed, prompting Iranian officials to threaten retaliation against US forces in the region.

Overnight violence included a grenade explosion in Qom and the killing of a Basij member in western Iran. Rights groups accused security forces of using live fire in some areas.

Despite President Masoud Pezeshkian’s calls for dialogue, analysts say Iran’s powerful security apparatus is likely to contain the unrest as economic pressures continue.