Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that protesters’ economic demands are fair, while cautioning that authorities would take a hard line against “rioters” as demonstrations spread nationwide.
The protests began on Sunday as an expression of discontent over high prices and economic stagnation, but have since expanded to include political demands.
"The president and high-ranking officials are working to resolve" the economic difficulties in the sanctions-battered country, Khamenei said in a speech marking a Shiite holiday.
"The shopkeepers have protested against this situation and that is completely fair," he added.
But Khamenei nonetheless warned that while "authorities must have dialogue with protesters, it is useless to have dialogue with rioters. Those must be put in their place."
