Ankara: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday his country is compelled to pursue the path of justice to stand as a barrier against those who seek to harm the Iranian people at home and abroad, stressing the need to distinguish between peaceful protests and efforts to sow division.

According to Anadolu Agency, the president emphasized the importance of listening to peaceful protesters while remaining vigilant against those who might exploit these protests to create division within the nation. He pointed out the necessity of granting sovereignty to the people and involving them in decision-making processes.

The president highlighted how recent experiences have demonstrated that sworn enemies, including the Israeli regime and its Western allies, have consistently aimed to incite unrest and division in Iran. He criticized attempts to push protests toward violence, assassinations, and destruction of public property, stressing that such actions are not part of any recognized norm of civil protest.

He further stated that Iranian authorities must reassess their conduct and performance toward citizens to eliminate any pretext for those seeking to incite hatred and unrest. The president asserted that sincere service to the people is the primary defense against enemy infiltration.

These remarks come at a time of escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, particularly following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ‘massive armada’ moving toward Iran and his call for negotiations. Iranian officials have warned that any US attack would prompt a ‘swift and comprehensive’ response, although Tehran remains open to talks under what it considers fair, balanced, and noncoercive terms.