Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Larijani

Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Larijani has said security forces and the judiciary were prepared to respond "in the strongest manner" to foreign-linked individuals involved in armed violence and organized attacks targeting the Iranian nation.

Speaking during a televised interview on Friday, Larijani said security forces had been instructed to exercise maximum caution to avoid harm to the public, but added that groups entering the scene with weapons or intent to interfere in Iran`s internal affairs would face decisive action.

The official urged the public to maintain the same level of vigilance shown during the 12-day war that was imposed on the nation by the Israeli regime and the United States in June, saying Iran`s adversaries were now targeting the very elements that previously strengthened national resilience.

"Our dear nation should be aware that the enemies have targeted the very factor that was the source of the nation`s strength and victory" throughout the war, he said, calling for public awareness and unity.

Targeting of symbols of national and religious identity

Larijani noted that attacks by the riotous elements have focused on symbols of Iran`s national and religious identity, including their burning of the Islamic Republic`s flag and attempts to vandalize statues of the country`s national icons, such as General Qassem Soleimani, Iran`s top anti-terror commander, who was assassinated by the US in 2020.

"They want to break the national pride," he said, also citing instances, where the elements had resorted to burning the Holy Qur`an and targeting mosques among other things.

He described the outrageous measures as an effort to undermine the nation`s core sources of strength.

The official dismissed claims that the violence had been driven by economic problems, noting that acts such as looting and burning shops signaled some other ulterior motive.

"Someone who has economic problems does not go and loot a store," he said, noting that such actions disrupted services meant for the public and indicated motives unrelated to economic reform.

Israeli footprint

Larijani, meanwhile, linked the sabotage that had been staged by the rioters to earlier statements made by Israeli officials suggesting a strategy of using elements inside Iran to target the Islamic Republic rather than resorting to direct military aggression against the country.

The targets that have been chosen by foreign-linked armed elements reveal objectives beyond economic protest, he stated.

According to Larijani, security forces have identified the ringleaders of the riots, with some already arrested and others facing imminent detention.

He said authorities had uncovered cases involving Gewehr 3 (G3) assault rifles, handguns, and other weapons, indicating prior organization and planning, including methods for transporting and distributing arms.

Larijani added that attempts to seize military and law enforcement centers had shown an effort to spark internal conflict and prepare the ground for foreign interference, though, he said such attempts had so far failed due to preparedness of security forces.

The remarks came as Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei reiterated that the Islamic Republic would not tolerate vandalism or foreign-backed unrest.

Addressing people earlier in the day, Ayatollah Khamenei said the country would "not back down against vandals" and rejected acts of destruction carried out to please foreign powers, while emphasizing that peaceful protests over economic issues remained legitimate.