Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran's battle is not with a bunch of rioters who have recently wreaked havoc in the country, adding "the main confrontation is with the global hegemony".
“These few people are either oblivious, ignorant, or mercenaries,” the Leader said in a meeting with members of Basij volunteer force in Tehran on the occasion of Basij Week.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the recent riots are part of the West's pressure campaign against Iran to arm-twist it into compromising on its rights in the negotiations, which have deadlocked over Washington's lack of commitment.