At the request of the United States, the UN Security Council held a meeting on the situation in Iran on 15 January. Previously, the United States had called on Iranians to protest and “seize government buildings” while U.S. President Donald Trump stated that “help is on the way”. Then, overnight on 16 January, the U.S. media reported that the United States is deploying military forces to the Middle East due to escalating tensions with Tehran.
In this BelTA overview, we cover the events in Iran over recent weeks, the actions taken by U.S. authorities, the response from Tehran, and the warnings issued by the UN Security Council.
What do we know about the protests in Iran?
In late December, amid the devaluation of the Iranian rial, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses in Iran began holding protests. According to local media, vendors of imported home appliances and electronics were the most active participants in the demonstrations. They had purchased their goods in foreign currency but were selling them for the local rial, thereby incurring losses due to the currency’s depreciation.
The country’s authorities responded to the entrepreneurs’ discontent. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced reforms to the country’s banking and financial systems and also instructed the government to establish a dialogue with the protesters. “I have instructed the Minister of Interior to listen to the legitimate demands of the protesters through dialogue with their representatives, so that the government can act effectively to resolve the problems,” the president wrote on social media platform X.
The next stage saw the radicalization of the protests. Riots and attacks on administrative buildings began. Local media reported incidents of Qurans being burned and mosques attacked, which appeared to be attempts to provoke a harsh response from the authorities.
Yet, bloodshed could not be avoided. The peak of the unrest occurred on 8 and 9 January, resulting in the deaths of 12 civilians, including a child. The head of the Iranian police, Ahmad Reza Radan, stated that rioters shot at civilians with firearms and used homemade grenades. Participants in the unrest also burned down 25 mosques in Tehran, damaged 26 banks, three medical centers, ten government offices, as well as fire engines and ambulances.
According to Iranian media reports, the unrest in the country subsided after the detention of around 200 leaders of armed groups involved in clashes with the police. “Terrorist operational units, often armed with firearms, grenades, and Molotov cocktails, used the guise of rioters to organize attacks on important government, military, and security installations, and fired on security personnel and civilians, resulting in a number of deaths,” Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported.
After the situation calmed down, residents in a number of cities across the country began to hold pro-government rallies. According to TASS, demonstrations against the actions of the protesters took place in the cities of Birjand, Zahedan, Zanjan, Ilam, Kerman, Qom, Rasht, Hamedan, and Shahrekord. On 12 January, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian participated in a mass rally in Tehran. Masoud Pezeshkian also held a meeting with representatives of the protesters.
On the evening of 12 January, the president of the Islamic Republic stated that the Iranian people had thwarted the enemy’s plans. “The Iranian people have dealt a crushing blow to the malicious plans of their enemies, serving as a warning to American politicians who rely on treacherous mercenaries. This unprecedented mass action confirmed the vigilance and responsibility of citizens ready to defend the achievements of the revolution and religious values,” Masoud Pezeshkian said.
In this BelTA overview, we cover the events in Iran over recent weeks, the actions taken by U.S. authorities, the response from Tehran, and the warnings issued by the UN Security Council.
What do we know about the protests in Iran?
In late December, amid the devaluation of the Iranian rial, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses in Iran began holding protests. According to local media, vendors of imported home appliances and electronics were the most active participants in the demonstrations. They had purchased their goods in foreign currency but were selling them for the local rial, thereby incurring losses due to the currency’s depreciation.
The country’s authorities responded to the entrepreneurs’ discontent. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced reforms to the country’s banking and financial systems and also instructed the government to establish a dialogue with the protesters. “I have instructed the Minister of Interior to listen to the legitimate demands of the protesters through dialogue with their representatives, so that the government can act effectively to resolve the problems,” the president wrote on social media platform X.
Getty Images
However, the protests soon became politicized. Students joined the demonstrators’ ranks, advancing not economic but political demands. Protesters called for the overthrow of the current authorities and the restoration of the monarchy.
The next stage saw the radicalization of the protests. Riots and attacks on administrative buildings began. Local media reported incidents of Qurans being burned and mosques attacked, which appeared to be attempts to provoke a harsh response from the authorities.
Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
In several instances, Iranian law enforcement managed to act preemptively. For example, during operational measures in Qazvin province, members of a sabotage group preparing attacks on military and government facilities were detained. In the city of Kermanshah, police discovered a cache of homemade weapons that radical elements had planned to use during the protests. In the city of Shushtar, the detention of a group of protesters led to the seizure of firearms and bladed weapons.
Yet, bloodshed could not be avoided. The peak of the unrest occurred on 8 and 9 January, resulting in the deaths of 12 civilians, including a child. The head of the Iranian police, Ahmad Reza Radan, stated that rioters shot at civilians with firearms and used homemade grenades. Participants in the unrest also burned down 25 mosques in Tehran, damaged 26 banks, three medical centers, ten government offices, as well as fire engines and ambulances.
According to Iranian media reports, the unrest in the country subsided after the detention of around 200 leaders of armed groups involved in clashes with the police. “Terrorist operational units, often armed with firearms, grenades, and Molotov cocktails, used the guise of rioters to organize attacks on important government, military, and security installations, and fired on security personnel and civilians, resulting in a number of deaths,” Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported.
Global Look Press
According to the authorities, the clashes resulted in the deaths of approximately 40 Iranian law enforcement officers. Exact figures for the dead and wounded on both sides are not yet available. However, Western media have already widely circulated reports of thousands killed. For instance, Reuters reported on 13 January of 2,000 killed, including civilians and security personnel. On the same day, the American television channel CBS News reported that the death toll could be in the range of 12,000 to 20,000 people. The origin of these figures is not entirely clear. In both cases, the media cite unnamed activists who allegedly visited Iranian hospitals. No evidence for these claims is provided.
After the situation calmed down, residents in a number of cities across the country began to hold pro-government rallies. According to TASS, demonstrations against the actions of the protesters took place in the cities of Birjand, Zahedan, Zanjan, Ilam, Kerman, Qom, Rasht, Hamedan, and Shahrekord. On 12 January, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian participated in a mass rally in Tehran. Masoud Pezeshkian also held a meeting with representatives of the protesters.
On the evening of 12 January, the president of the Islamic Republic stated that the Iranian people had thwarted the enemy’s plans. “The Iranian people have dealt a crushing blow to the malicious plans of their enemies, serving as a warning to American politicians who rely on treacherous mercenaries. This unprecedented mass action confirmed the vigilance and responsibility of citizens ready to defend the achievements of the revolution and religious values,” Masoud Pezeshkian said.
On 14 January, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the authorities fully control the situation in the country. “Calm has now been restored. We are in complete control, and let us hope that wisdom will prevail so we do not end up in a situation of high tension, which would be catastrophic for everyone,” the diplomat said.
Who are the enemies Tehran refers to?
Iranian authorities believe that external forces are involved in organizing the unrest, primarily the United States and Israel.
“Although the recent disturbances began as protests against economic instability, the enemy [Israel] steered them toward destabilizing the situation in the country. The latest statements by Trump only confirm the collusion of two regimes seeking to undermine the foundations of Iranian life,” reads a statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, cited by TASS.
Masoud Pezeshkian also accused the United States and Israel of attempts to destabilize Iran. He pointed out that peaceful citizens take part in protests but do not set markets on fire or commit criminal acts. “The unrest in Iran is organized by America and Israel, which issue orders to their agents with the aim of destabilizing the situation,” the president noted.
He further stressed that the Iranian government distinguishes between legitimate protests and riots. “We are ready to listen to the voice of the people and are determined to continue economic reforms. We call on Iranians to take to the streets to clearly express their demands and not allow instigators of disorder to distort the reasons behind the current protests,” Masoud Pezeshkian said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that Iran’s enemies use every opportunity to destabilize the country, including protest actions.
AP photo
“It is important to note that behind the demonstrators stand provocateurs, agents of the enemy, who shout anti-Islamic, anti-Iranian, and anti-government slogans. Protests are legitimate, but protests are not riots. We speak with protesters, officials must speak with them, but speaking with rioters is useless. Rioters must be subdued,” Ali Khamenei said.
He also noted that certain forces are attempting to destabilize the situation in the country by exploiting ordinary peaceful citizens. “We must understand the enemy. The enemy does not sit idly by; it uses every opportunity,” the Supreme Leader emphasized.
At the same time, Ali Shamkhani, adviser to the Supreme Leader of Iran, reminded potential “interveners” that national security is a red line. “The Iranian people are well acquainted with the stories of ‘rescue’ by the Americans – from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Gaza Strip,” he said.
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani warned that interference in Iran’s internal affairs is tantamount to destabilizing the entire Middle East. “Trump must understand that U.S. interference in this internal matter is equivalent to destabilizing the whole region and destroying American interests,” he stated.
What actions are the United States taking?
In early January, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States could come to the aid of protesters in Iran. “We are in full combat readiness,” Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social.
The U.S. president also urged Iranians to protest and “seize their institutions of power”. He added in the same post that “help is already on the way.”
Later, in an interview with CBS, Trump clarified what kind of assistance he meant. “A great deal of help is on the way in various forms, including economic assistance from our side,” he said.
On 13 January, the U.S. president announced the introduction of American tariffs of 25% against countries that are trade partners of Iran.
However, in recent days Trump’s rhetoric toward Iran has somewhat softened. On 14 January, he stated that Washington had information indicating that the deaths of protesters in Iran had ceased. “We will continue to monitor events. But we have received very good information from people who are well informed about what is happening,” the U.S. leader said.
Donald Trump. AP photo
Western media, citing sources, reported that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman had urged Trump not to strike Iran so as not to provoke chaos in the oil market. According to The New York Times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also appealed to Trump to postpone an attack on Iran, fearing retaliatory strikes from Tehran. Meanwhile, The Washington Post, citing sources, reported on negotiations between Israel and Iran over a non-aggression pact, conducted through Russia.
However, the latest actions by the U.S. side indicate that the United States is preparing for confrontation, not détente. Following Tehran’s statement of readiness to deliver a retaliatory strike in the event of an attack on Iran, the United States evacuated some personnel from key Middle East bases “as a precautionary measure due to increased regional tensions.” The USA also began withdrawing its air assets from the Persian Gulf area. Washington took similar actions last year – a week before the airstrikes on Iran.
The U.S. authorities also urged citizens of their country and U.S. allied nations to leave the territory of Iran.
Meanwhile, the U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States could strike Iran with Tomahawk missiles located on the U.S. destroyers in the Middle East. On the night of 16 January, the Republican-leaning Fox News channel, citing military sources, reported that the United States had begun the transfer of at least one carrier strike group to the Middle East. The plans also include deploying air defense systems to the region to protect U.S. and Israeli bases. Thus, Washington will significantly increase its military presence in the Middle East.
Key warnings voiced at UN Security Council meeting
A meeting of the UN Security Council on Iran was held on 15 January. It was initiated by the United States. The U.S. position was presented by U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Mike Waltz. He stated that Trump is currently considering all options for action regarding Iran.
“President Trump is a man of action, not endless talk like we see at the United Nations. He has made it clear all options are on the table to stop the slaughter,” Waltz said.
According to the diplomat, despite Tehran’s statements about readiness for dialogue, its actions tell a different story. Waltz also rejected Iran’s claims that the protests are a foreign conspiracy designed to pave the way for military action.
Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN Gholamhossein Darzi stated that Tehran does not seek escalation but will meet any act of aggression with a decisive and proportionate response.
“Iran does not seek escalation or confrontation. However, any act of aggression - direct or indirect - will be met with a decisive, proportionate, and lawful response in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter,” Darzi said. “This is not a threat; it is a statement of legal reality,” the diplomat added.
He also accused Waltz of resorting “to lies, distortion of facts, and a deliberate misinformation campaign to conceal his country’s direct involvement in steering unrest in Iran to violence.”
Russia and China issued warnings to the United States.
Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya warned the Americans, saying that U.S. actions “risk plunging the region into even bloodier chaos — chaos that could easily spill beyond its borders.”
He noted that the events in Iran are an example of using color revolution methods, where specially trained armed provocateurs turn peaceful protest into senseless rampages, pogroms, destruction of public property, brutal murders of law enforcement officers, security personnel, and peaceful demonstrators.
Nebenzya stated that Russia condemns Washington’s course towards the use of military force and threats of its use against Iran and calls for preventing the UNSC platform from being used to prepare regime change scenarios. “Today’s meeting, convened by our American colleagues, is nothing more than another attempt to justify blatant aggression and interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state,” the diplomat said.
Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN Sun Lei called for a peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue. He stated that the Middle East remains the most unstable region in the global security system and noted that China shares the serious concern of most countries in the region about military confrontation there.
According to the Chinese diplomat, the use of force against Iran could lead to a catastrophe in the region. “Any military adventurism would only push the region toward an unpredictable abyss. We urge the United States to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, abandon its fixation on the use of force. We call on all parties to exercise restraint,” the diplomat said.
Vita KHANATAYEVA,
BelTA
Follow us on:
