Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei declared on Monday that there will be "no leniency or indulgence" towards rioters during widespread protests over economic issues. Speaking via the judiciary’s Mizan news agency, he ordered prosecutors and the attorney general to act firmly against rioters and their supporters. Ejei also said the government recognizes the public’s right to protest and distinguishes peaceful protesters from violent rioters. The protests started last Sunday with strikes by shopkeepers upset over high prices and a sharp fall in Iran's currency, the rial. The unrest has spread to 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces, covering at least 45 cities mainly in western areas. Official data shows at least 12 people, including security forces, have died in clashes since December 30. Economic issues fuel the anger. The rial lost over a third of its value against the US dollar in one year, weakening further to about 1.4 million rials to the dollar on the informal market, compared to 770,000 a year ago. Inflation continues to erode people’s buying power. State media reported a decrease in protest gatherings on Sunday night. Coverage of the protests in local media remains limited, while social media videos are hard to verify. Iranian officials publicly recognize economic grievances but warn they will fight disorder and destabilization. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently urged citizens to blame the country’s leadership instead of the US for economic troubles. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that if Iran starts killing protesters, the US will respond strongly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed solidarity with Iranian protesters and their demand for freedom. Iran’s foreign ministry called Israeli comments an attempt to sow division. Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned against "externally designed scenarios" aiming to exploit the protests and promised a decisive response. This judicial statement follows a tense period after a 12-day war in June involving Iran, Israel, and limited US strikes on nuclear sites.