TEHRAN - The Iranian Judiciary chief says those who provoked and perpetrated the acts of terror during the recent riots in Iran will be put on trial and receive punishments accordingly.

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i said, “Our main job at the Judiciary regarding the recent events has just begun.”

He added, “All judicial officials with authority to look into the case on elements charged with perpetrating acts of terrorism and riot should take priorities into account and … their only yardstick and criterion should be to implement the law to the letter and exact justice.” 

He, however, warned that the enemy, which has been hit hard, still seeks to go ahead with its plots against the Iranian nation.

The top judge said no leniency should be extended to those who do not deserve it. The Judiciary chief’s comments follow recent riots and chaos in certain Iranian cities, provoked by mercenaries and foreign-backed terrorists. The armed rioters vandalized public property, triggered terror, and killed over 100 security forces as well as ordinary people by hijacking peaceful protests by a number of business owners over economic conditions and livelihood issues, mostly caused by the US-led sanctions.

Accordingly, Iranian security forces seriously dealt with the rioters and foreign-backed insurgents, identifying and apprehending many.

In a recent operation, security forces confiscated various types of lethal weapons intended for use against civilians and government facilities.

The detainees are charged with a wide range of crimes, including the “shedding of innocent blood” and the “destruction of holy places.”

The operatives had been tasked by foreign agencies to carry out targeted assassinations of elite figures, stir ethnic division, and sabotage vital infrastructure such as water, electricity, gas, and oil pipelines.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei also asserted that many agents behind the “sedition” were trained and recruited by American and Israeli spy agencies.

Across the country, more than 3,000 individuals have been detained in connection with the unrest.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has been rehashing his hollow rhetoric and empty threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran, speaking of what he describes as “regime change and the “all options are on the table” rhetoric.

Following the recent unrest in Iran, Trump wrote on Truth Social on January 2, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iran counters the rioters. On January 17, Trump also told Politico, “It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran.”

In response, former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Mohsen Rezaei warned that if the United States launches an attack on Iran, the Islamic Republic will strike back and, in that situation, there will be no ceasefire with the US.”

“Trump is seeking an attack and short war against Iran and thinks that he can start a war and, after a short time, request a ceasefire, and we accept it,” Rezaei said.

He also said the United States realized during the 12-Day War against Iran in June 2025 that “a direct raid “cannot disrupt Iran’s security structure.

After the June war, the Americans changed their tactics and decided to intensify economic sanctions and put pressure on the European trio of Britain, France, and Germany to trigger the snapback mechanism to officially return the sanctions lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

In late spring last year, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran that was later joined by the United States. However, facing Iran’s missile raids on Israel’s important cities and military sites, they offered a ceasefire.