ISLAMABAD, Monday, January 12, 2026 (WNP): The Islamic Republic of Iran has said that recent protests triggered by economic concerns were largely peaceful in nature but were later exploited by a small number of violent elements amid growing foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs.

In a fact sheet issued by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, the Iranian government said the protests began on December 28, 2025, after a rise in foreign exchange rates affected traders and merchants, particularly in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. According to the statement, sector-based gatherings were organized to express economic grievances, which the authorities recognized as lawful under Iran’s Constitution and international human rights obligations.

The Iranian government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, stressing that it acknowledged the legitimate demands of peaceful protesters and mobilized available resources to address economic concerns. It emphasized, however, the need to clearly distinguish between peaceful protest and riots or violent acts that threaten public security.

“Iran considers itself fully committed to supporting and protecting the right of its citizens to peaceful and lawful protest,” the statement said, adding that the state is equally obligated to prevent threats to public safety and to protect lives, property, and public order.

It underlined that the rights of millions of peace-seeking Iranians should not be compromised by the actions of a very limited number of violent individuals.

According to the fact sheet, while most protests remained peaceful, some gatherings were allegedly infiltrated and exploited by a small group, resulting in violent and, in certain cases, armed clashes with law-enforcement agencies. These actions, the statement said, had no connection with the legitimate demands of protesters and were not endorsed by the broader population.

Iranian authorities reported incidents including attacks on police stations, the use of incendiary devices such as Molotov cocktails, and, in some cases, firearms against security personnel. Such acts, the statement noted, constitute serious crimes involving violence and destruction of public property and fall outside the scope of protections afforded to peaceful assemblies under international human rights law.

The statement further said that terrorist groups had used weapons and improvised explosive devices, undermining the peaceful nature of the protests and endangering public safety—concerns that were also highlighted in remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader on January 3, 2026.

Despite these incidents, Iranian law-enforcement agencies were described as having acted with restraint and in accordance with the law, exercising care to restore order while observing principles of necessity and proportionality and minimizing harm.

The fact sheet expressed strong concern over what it termed overt and increasing foreign interference, accusing external actors of seeking to exploit Iran’s internal challenges. It specifically criticized statements by Israeli and US officials, describing them as interventionist and inciting violence and terrorism. The Iranian government rejected claims of sympathy for the Iranian people by foreign leaders, citing past and recent actions that it said contradicted such rhetoric.

Iran also condemned remarks by US officials regarding its internal affairs, calling them a violation of the UN Charter and international law, particularly the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention. The statement recalled recent US threats of the use of force and renewed military action against Iran’s nuclear and defensive facilities.

Highlighting the economic dimension, the Iranian government said unilateral coercive measures and sanctions have had a direct and severe impact on the livelihoods of ordinary citizens by restricting financial resources, disrupting trade and investment, and limiting access to essential goods and services. These pressures, it added, have significantly contributed to the country’s current economic challenges.

The statement concluded that while Iran remains committed to addressing lawful economic demands, it will not tolerate violence, terrorism, or foreign interference aimed at undermining national security and social cohesion.