Pezeshkian Links Riots to US, Israel; Putin Cites Pro-Government Rallies

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that recent violent unrest in Iran was directly instigated by the United States and Israel. In a telephone conversation on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin concurred that the “real conditions” of the country were demonstrated by the millions who marched in support of the government following the disturbances. During the call, President Pezeshkian discussed the recent escalation of events, noting that last week’s peaceful economic rallies were intentionally hijacked and converted into coordinated violence. He emphasized Iran’s people-centered approach to governance, stating that domestic policy is rooted in the people and that all efforts are focused on addressing legitimate demands while mitigating the hardships caused by cruel sanctions.

Pezeshkian further noted that the epic and millions-strong presence of the Iranian people in Monday’s nationwide demonstrations successfully thwarted the rioters’ plans within a short timeframe. He also expressed gratitude to Russia for its consistent support of Iran within the United Nations and other international forums. The two leaders highlighted significant progress in trade, investment, transportation, and energy cooperation, noting that joint projects are advancing rapidly. Implementation is being monitored on a weekly basis, and no significant hurdles have been reported in these bilateral agreements.

President Putin acknowledged that long-term sanctions have exacerbated Iran’s economic and social challenges but compared the current upheaval to “color revolution” scenarios orchestrated from abroad. According to the Iranian president’s office, Putin stated that while economic problems may arise due to the impact of unjust sanctions, violent disorder remains distinct from peaceful civil protest. The Russian president denounced attacks on security personnel and public facilities, attributing these actions to outside forces. He noted that the mass pro-government demonstrations reflected the true state of Iranian society and signaled that Russia’s diplomatic efforts are continuing to clarify Iran’s stance and prevent further escalation.

Following his call with Pezeshkian, Putin held a separate discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discourage the situation from worsening. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the regional situation as extremely tense and confirmed that Moscow is maintaining contacts to promote de-escalation. In Iran, authorities reported that coordinated attacks on January 8, which followed protests over currency volatility and rising prices, resulted in the deaths of numerous security officers and bystanders. Officials claim evidence shows that foreign-backed terrorist organizations disseminated weaponry and targeted civilians with direct assistance from the US and Israel.

In response to recent threats from US President Donald Trump regarding potential military intervention, Iranian military leaders have issued a stern warning. They stated that any attack on Iranian soil would render US bases and assets in the region legitimate targets for retaliation. Observers suggest that the discovery of foreign intelligence traces amid the unrest indicates an attempt by the Israeli administration to force the United States into a direct military conflict with Iran. Consequently, Iranian officials remain on high alert, emphasizing that they will protect their sovereignty against any external aggression.