UK Conservative leader calls Iran protesters ‘a beacon of hope’

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced support for President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran, calling his message “much-needed moral and strategic clarity.”

“Much-needed moral and strategic clarity from President Trump. America stands with the Iranian people and supports their demands for freedom!”, Pompeo posted on X on Friday.

"Making unilateral claims about Iran’s internal situation and justifying threats of action have no legal standing within the international legal order," Iran's prosecutor-general Mohammad Movahedi-Azad said on Friday, rejecting Donald Trump's comments on Iran protests as a "violation of the UN Charter".

“Unfortunately, in recent days the president of the United States has made statements in threatening language and based on unfounded claims. These remarks are not merely a political position, but constitute an explicit threat to resort to force against an independent state and a clear violation of Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the United Nations Charter," he said.

He said the international responsibility of the decision-makers behind these policies, including Donald Trump personally, is established and "can be pursued before competent international bodies.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday he is ready to speak directly with guilds to resolve their problems, but stopped short of addressing nationwide protests that have expanded beyond the initial merchants’ strikes.

“We are not willing to see our guilds face problems,” he said. “If they have a legitimate grievance and we are at fault, we will try to correct ourselves.”

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"This is the last battle, Pahlavi will return," protesters were heard chanting in the holy city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran on Friday night.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has instructed domestic media to explicitly condemn what it called foreign interference by US President Donald Trump and to distinguish between protests over economic grievances and "violent riots", according to a document seen by Iran International.

In the directive addressed to editors and newsroom managers, the Supreme National Security Council praised outlets that swiftly reacted to comments by Donald Trump, describing his statements as interventionist and contrary to diplomatic norms.

The Council commended media organizations that framed their coverage around “national unity,” published interviews and commentary from political, academic and economic figures, and drew a clear distinction between public economic demands — including protests over currency instability — and what it labeled organized, violent disturbances.

The directive also urged media to continue reflecting people’s livelihood concerns while avoiding what it called raw, emotional or tension-fueling content. It praised outlets that, in the council’s words, sought to inform public opinion about foreign interference and hostile efforts to exploit unrest, and said calm, professional reporting that “draws boundaries with the enemy” helps preserve social cohesion and national stability.