Iranian authorities have issued a three-day ultimatum to citizens who took part in recent anti-government protests, urging them to surrender to the police in exchange for leniency. The announcement underscores the government’s dual-track approach of pressure and conciliation as it seeks to contain one of the most serious waves of unrest the Islamic Republic has faced in recent years.
According to reports carried by Agence France-Presse, Iran’s national police chief, Brigadier General Ahmad-Reza Radan, said individuals who were “misled” into joining what the authorities describe as riots would be treated with tolerance if they voluntarily surrendered within the stipulated timeframe. Those who comply, he added, would face lighter punishments under Iran’s judicial system.
General Radan drew a distinction between organised opponents of the state and young people who, in his words, were unknowingly drawn into violence. He emphasised that such participants were not “enemy forces” but deceived citizens, and said the Islamic Republic would show restraint towards them if they turned themselves in within three days.
The protests erupted in late December amid mounting public anger over economic hardship, rising prices, unemployment and broader grievances about governance. What began as scattered demonstrations quickly spread nationwide, evolving into a sustained movement that lasted more than two weeks. Analysts described the unrest as one of the most significant challenges to Iran’s leadership in recent years.
Iranian officials have maintained that the demonstrations initially took a peaceful form before descending into violence and vandalism. Tehran has repeatedly alleged that foreign adversaries, including the United States and Israel, encouraged the unrest with the aim of destabilising the country. Western governments have denied these accusations, while international observers have called for restraint and dialogue.
Human rights organisations report that the protests have largely subsided following a forceful security crackdown. Iranian officials have acknowledged that at least 5,000 people were killed during the unrest, though rights groups dispute official figures and say the true toll may be higher. Arrest numbers are also contested: while state-linked media report several thousand detentions, independent organisations suggest the figure could be far greater.
The ultimatum comes amid hardline rhetoric from the country’s top leadership. On Saturday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on authorities to “break the backbone” of those he labelled as instigators, warning that both domestic and foreign offenders would not escape punishment.
Key figures from the unrest
| Category | Official claims | Human rights groups |
|---|---|---|
| Reported fatalities | At least 5,000 | Higher, exact number disputed |
| Arrests | Around 3,000 | Up to 20,000 |
| Surrender deadline | Three days | — |
The coming days will reveal whether the promise of leniency encourages protesters to come forward, or whether the ultimatum further entrenches fear and mistrust between the state and sections of Iranian society already strained by economic and political pressures.