Iran`s National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani

A "destructive and organized network" infiltrated recent riots and carried out violent acts in Iranian cities resembling tactics used by Daesh terrorists, Iran`s National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani has said.

Larijani told Tasnim news agency on Sunday that the violent riots of recent days must be clearly separated from legitimate protests over economic hardship.

He acknowledged that public frustration over inflation and currency instability was "completely understandable." The government, he said, was obligated to address those concerns, including stabilizing the foreign?exchange market, a demand he described as "rightful" for both merchants and ordinary citizens.

However, the security chief warned that a separate group had taken advantage of the demonstrations to commit "extremely violent and criminal acts," including killings and burnings that he compared to tactics used by terrorist organizations such as Daesh.

"Someone protesting economic problems would never commit such acts," he said.

The security chief expressed regret over the casualties among police forces, saying a significant number had been injured and some killed. Several civilians were also killed or wounded. He said authorities must determine which groups supported those responsible for the violence.

Larijani warned that insecurity and destruction would only worsen the country`s economic woes. Attacks on economic centers, public and religious sites, buses and municipal infrastructure, all funded by taxpayers, directly harmed the public, he said.

"Insecurity leads to economic stagnation, and such actions are not the path to solving economic problems," he added.

He said the judiciary must act decisively against those involved in killings, rioting, and destruction of public property, noting that the judiciary chief had already signaled a firm approach toward the perpetrators.

Tasnim earlier reported that 109 security personnel had been killed in the riots across the country.

In a televised interview addressing the Iranian nation, President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed his government`s economic plans to address "people`s demands."

He said the government was there to listen to legitimate public grievances, but noted that there was a difference between protesting and violent rioting.

Pezeshkian ?warned that the United States and Israel were leading the violence as they ?seek to "sow chaos and disorder."

He called on Iranian citizens to distance themselves from "rioters and ‌terrorists," killing people and burning public and private properties.

surveillance camera footage showing violent rioters throwing incendiary substances at children inside a mosque in Sabzevar, in the northeast of Iran.