Iran Warns Citizens Against Protests: Demonstrators Will Be Treated as Enemies

Iran’s National Police has warned citizens not to take to the streets “at the behest of enemies” during an ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The police stated that anyone demonstrating in support of enemy positions will be treated as enemies, not as protesters.

The warning was issued by Iran’s National Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan during a statement broadcast on state television IRIB on the evening of 10 March, as reported by AFP and The Guardian on 11 March 2026.

“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 warned. “And we will do to them what we do to enemies. We will treat them in the same way we treat enemies.”

“All our forces are also ready, with their fingers on the trigger, prepared to defend their revolution, support their people and homeland,” Radan said, apparently referring to firm police action against demonstrators. He added that Iranian security forces are deployed on the streets “day and night”.

The warning follows statements made by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent weeks, in which they have called on Iranian citizens to take to the streets and overthrow the government in power.

The United States and Israel have launched large-scale attacks against Iran since 28 February. The series of strikes has killed Iranian leaders and senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been appointed as his successor.

Tehran has responded to the US-Israeli attacks with waves of missile and drone strikes against targets in Israel and against Gulf states that host US military assets.