'Deceived, not enemy soldiers': Amnesty window open for youth in Iran 'riots'; partial calm returns

Iran’s national police chief gave people who were “deceived” into joining- what the authorities have called “riots”- a limited window to turn themselves in with lighter punishment.

“Young people who became unwittingly involved in the riots are considered to be deceived individuals, not enemy soldiers,” Ahmad‑Reza Radan said on state television, adding that those individuals have “a maximum of three days” to surrender and would be “treated with leniency by the Islamic republic system.”



The protests, which began in late December, erupted across Iran in response to the worsening economy and soon escalated into direct challenges to the ruling theocracy. Soaring prices and widespread job insecurity drove frustrated traders, university students, and city residents into the streets of major cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. Some demonstrators even targeted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, with graffiti and chants calling for his death appearing in Tehran.

Mounting death toll

Iranian officials have presented varying figures for the death toll. A regional Iranian official said at least 5,000 people were killed in the protests, including about 500 members of the security forces. Some of the deadliest clashes were reported in Kurdish regions of northwest Iran.

Human rights and activist groups estimate a wide range of casualties and arrests, with some reporting more than 24,000 arrests and thousands of verified deaths.

No mercy pledge from Khamenei

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a rare acknowledgment, confirmed that “several thousand” people were killed during the unrest. In a televised address, he accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the protests and described US President Donald Trump as a “criminal” for supporting demonstrators.

“We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished,” Khamenei said. He added that authorities “must break the back of the seditionists” and warned that domestic and foreign “criminals” would not be spared punishment.

Iran’s judiciary has warned that those accused of leading violence could face swift trials and capital charges, including Mohareb, or waging war against God, a capital offense under Iranian law.

Trump: In the middle of this or the cause?

US President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran’s leadership, calling Khamenei a “sick man” and saying it was “time to look for new leadership” in the country, accusing him of destroying it through extreme violence.

Trump also urged Iranians to continue protesting and “take over institutions,” adding that “help is on its way.” He claimed Tehran had halted planned executions of hundreds of detainees, though analysts have questioned these assertions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that any attack on the Supreme Leader would amount to a declaration of war against Iran. He echoed claims that the unrest was influenced by foreign adversaries and reiterated these concerns in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Signs of calm

Iranian authorities say calm is returning to many cities. State media reported that streets in Tehran and other urban centers were quiet, shops reopened, and schools resumed after a prolonged communications blackout.

Internet access has gradually been restored in some areas, though restrictions and heavy filtering remain in place.