TEHRAN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the country’s Supreme National Security Council to work out proper methods to prioritize and address people’s demands and protests.

He made the comments on Tuesday in a meeting also attended by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

The president analyzed recent national events, focusing on their social impact. He urged the council to investigate the root causes of the unrest.

The protests that were peaceful in the early days gradually turned violent as the United States, Israel, and certain Iranians diaspora opposed to the Islamic Republic system provoked protestors to occupy “state institutions”. U.S. President Donald Trump promised “help” and even threatened military aggression.

The protests first started in Tehran’s Bazaar over the depreciation of the national currency and the ensuing price rises.

The peaceful protests were abused by violent protestors who set mosques on fire, made deadly attacks against security forces, and committed other acts of vandalism. 

Former U.S. CIA chief Mike Pompeo confirmed the involvement of Mossad agents among the rioters. Writing on X, he said, “Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.”

“Unjust decisions” 

Elsewhere in his remarks, Pezeshkian said he believes a lack of tolerance for opposing voices, coupled with unjust decisions and providing unfair concessions in the economic domain, has triggered grievances and discontent among people.

“If we had properly and promptly discharged our duties with regard to three fundamental institutions in society and the country, i.e., the family, the school, and the university, much of the groundwork for such events in the country would not have emerged after all,” he said.

He urged all relevant bodies to fulfill their responsibilities and fill the gaps created in social issues.