On Monday, Jan. 12, tens of thousands of Iranians answered an official call and took to the streets of Tehran's Enghelab Square, as well as cities like Kerman, Zahedan and Birjand, to show support for the government 🙌. State media framed the rallies as a "popular uprising against American-Zionist terrorism."
At the same time in Shahrud, demonstrators joined a funeral procession for security personnel killed in recent clashes. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned U.S. politicians to "halt their deceitful actions and stop relying on their traitorous hirelings."
⚠️ The unrest began in December 2025 after a sharp drop in the rial's value and major cuts to government subsidies. What started as protests over rising costs quickly turned into wider, sometimes violent, confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.
Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told diplomats that "the internal situation is under total control" and accused the United States of stoking the unrest. He claimed to have evidence of U.S. and Israeli involvement in domestic "terrorist activities," including videos of weapons reaching protesters. Araghchi said Iran is "ready for war but also for dialogue" and vowed security forces would "hunt down" those responsible. He also said internet access, blacked out since Thursday, Jan. 8, would be restored soon. 📱
On Jan. 11, U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration is weighing "some very strong options," including possible military action. The White House later clarified that Trump prefers diplomacy but remains prepared to use force. Trump also suggested Tehran might seek talks after his warning of retaliation over the crackdown, though Iran has not confirmed any negotiations.
According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, at least 111 members of Iran's security forces have died. Rights groups estimate around 600 protesters have been killed over the past two weeks, though these figures cannot be independently verified.
The European Union is considering new sanctions in response to the crackdown. EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said, "We stand ready to propose new, more severe measures." European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced a ban on all Iranian diplomats entering Parliament premises.
In retaliation, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the envoys of Britain, Germany, France and Italy. Officials presented footage they say shows violent acts by rioters and urged their governments' support for the protests to be retracted.
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Tens of thousands rally in Iran to show support for government
cgtn.com
