‘Enemies of God’: Iran vows crackdown as protests boil over; death penalty warning issued

Iran sharply escalated its response to nationwide protests, with the country’s attorney general warning that anyone taking part in demonstrations could be treated as an “enemy of God” — a charge that carries the death penalty under Iranian law.The warning, issued by Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad and broadcast on state television on Saturday, came as protests entered their second week and intensified across major cities despite a sweeping internet blackout imposed by authorities.The statement carried by Iranian state television said even those who “helped rioters” would face the charge.

Under Iranian law, Article 186 provides that if a group or organisation engages in armed opposition to the Islamic Republic, all members or supporters who knowingly assist its aims may be deemed mohareb – “enemies of God” – even if they take no part in armed activity, Human Rights Watch reported.Article 190 sets out four possible punishments for moharebeh or “corruption on earth”: execution, hanging, amputation of the right hand and left foot, or permanent internal exile. Article 191 gives judges discretion to select the penalty.

Demonstrations erupted again on Friday in Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz and the holy city of Qom, with footage verified by AFP showing crowds chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In Tehran’s Sa’adat Abad district, residents banged pots and honked car horns in defiance, contradicting state media claims that calm had returned.The protests, the largest since the 2022–23 unrest sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in custody, began on December 28 over soaring living costs and the collapse of the rial. They have since evolved into direct challenges to Iran’s clerical system.Human rights groups say the crackdown has been deadly. Norway-based Iran Human Rights reported at least 51 protesters killed, including nine children, while the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency put the toll at 65 dead and more than 2,300 detained.

Amnesty International said the nationwide internet shutdown was designed to “mask regime violence” and hide grave rights violations.Supreme Leader Khamenei, in his first comments since the unrest began, branded protesters “vandals” and “saboteurs” and accused the United States of fomenting unrest. He claimed US President Donald Trump’s hands were “stained with Iranian blood” and said the Islamic Republic would not retreat.Trump, meanwhile, warned Iran against killing peaceful protesters, saying the leadership appeared to be “in big trouble” as demonstrations spread. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington supported the “brave people of Iran”.Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei warned punishments would be “maximum” and without leniency, while the Revolutionary Guards said protecting the Islamic Republic was a “red line”.