Tehran, Iran: The Islamic Republic of Iran has defended its handling of recent protests triggered by economic pressures, insisting that peaceful demonstrations have been respected while violent acts linked to foreign interference have been firmly confronted.
In a January 2026 non-paper on the ongoing unrest, Iranian authorities said the protests began on December 28, 2025, after a sharp rise in foreign exchange rates sparked gatherings by traders in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and other cities.
According to the document, the initial protests were “peaceful, professional and demand-driven,” with demonstrators calling for currency stability and measures to curb market volatility. Iran maintains that these gatherings were allowed under constitutional guarantees and international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
However, authorities said the situation later deteriorated after what they described as exploitation of the protests by a “very limited group” involved in violence, including attacks on police stations, use of Molotov cocktails, and in some cases firearms. Iran argues such acts fall outside the scope of peaceful protest and constitute serious crimes under both domestic and international law.
The government emphasized a strict distinction between lawful protest and violent unrest, warning that while peaceful assemblies are protected, the state is obliged to safeguard public security and prevent chaos. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying that protest is legitimate, but destruction and insecurity “must be confronted.”
Iran said law-enforcement forces acted with restraint and proportionality, seeking to restore order while minimizing harm and respecting human rights standards. The President has instructed the Ministry of Interior to conduct a comprehensive review of all incidents to ensure transparency, accountability, and respect for fair trial guarantees.
The non-paper also strongly condemns what Iran describes as overt foreign interference, singling out statements by Israeli and United States officials as incitement to violence and violations of Iran’s sovereignty. Tehran accused Washington of threatening the use of force and exploiting unrest as a pretext for external pressure, actions it says breach the UN Charter and international law.
Iran further blamed unilateral sanctions for worsening economic conditions, arguing that coercive measures have restricted financial resources, disrupted trade, and intensified hardship for ordinary citizens, thereby fuelling social tensions.
In its conclusion, Iran reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, while vowing to prevent the abuse of protests for violence, terrorism, or externally driven destabilization.
Authorities said detailed reports would be shared with the international community to demonstrate compliance with human rights obligations
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