During Wartime, Iran Declares It Will Treat Demonstrators as Enemies

Iran’s National Police has warned its citizens against staging demonstrations in support of enemies during the ongoing war against the United States and Israel. Police officials stated that citizens who take to the streets to support the enemy will be treated as enemies themselves.

According to reports from AFP and The Guardian on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, the warning was issued by Iran’s National Police Chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan.

“If anyone advances in line with the desires of the enemy, we will no longer see them as demonstrators; we will see them as enemies,” Radan said in a statement broadcast on state television IRIB on the evening of Tuesday, 10 March.

“And we will do to them what we do to enemies. We will treat them in the same way as we treat enemies,” he stressed.

“All our forces are also ready, with their fingers on the trigger, prepared to defend their revolution, support their people and their homeland,” Radan said, seemingly referring to firm police action against demonstrators.

Radan issued the statement following calls by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Iranian citizens to take to the streets and overthrow the ruling regime.

Such statements have been frequently issued by the United States and Israel following the launch of large-scale attacks against Iran by both nations since 28 February.

The series of strikes has killed senior Iranian leaders and officials, including the nation’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been appointed as his successor.

Tehran responded to the US-Israeli attacks with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli military installations and Gulf countries hosting American military assets.