(Bloomberg) -- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said protesters in Lebanon and Iraq should pursue their demands through legal means, signaling that the Islamic Republic isn’t backing calls for the ouster of governments that include its allies.

“The people have justifiable demands, but they should know their demands can only be fulfilled within the legal structure and framework of their country,” Khamenei said on Twitter.

“When the legal structure is disrupted in a country, no action can be carried out.”

He blamed the unrest largely on the U.S., Israel and Western countries, echoing remarks by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon.

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To contact the reporter on this story: Arsalan Shahla in Dubai at ashahla@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alaa Shahine at asalha@bloomberg.net, Paul Abelsky

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