President Pezeshkian Appeals to Security Forces

The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, has announced that security forces must exercise maximum restraint towards participants of ongoing protests that have lasted for 12 days. This information was reported by the TASS news agency.

“There must be avoidance of any violent actions or coercion. Maximum restraint must be shown, dialogue should be pursued, peaceful communication encouraged, and the demands of the Iranian people should be heard,” the president stated in a broadcast statement on Al-Araby television.

On January 8, large-scale protests took place in Tehran, Tabriz, and Mashhad. Protesters chanted anti-government slogans and demanded improvements in living conditions.

According to various human rights organizations, during the several days of protests, the death toll has ranged from 31 to 45. Iranian media have reported 21 fatalities, including law enforcement personnel.

Reza Pahlavi, currently residing in Washington D.C. and whose father was overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has called on Iranians to take to the streets and loudly demand their rights with a united front.