PRESS RELEASE: EMBASSY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN- NAIROBI

Date: January 16 2026

PRESS RELEASE:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EMBASSY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN- NAIROBI

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND MEDIA

 

Date: January 16, 2026

 

The Public Diplomacy and Media Department of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Nairobi is pleased to share below a press release concerning the recent riots and terrorist activities in Iran. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims—both civilians and the devoted members of the security forces—who have lost their lives to these atrocities.

Beginning on December 28, 2025, several Iranian cities witnessed gatherings primarily led by bazaar merchants and trade guilds. These demonstrations were motivated by legitimate economic concerns following fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and their subsequent impact on purchasing power.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution and international legal frameworks, including the ICCPR, and is fully committed to the rights of its citizens to peaceful expression. In the initial phase, from December 28 to30, the Government and law enforcement forces exercised maximum restraint, recognizing these gatherings as professional and demand-driven expressions of civilian concern.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately and constructively engaged with the initial peaceful demonstrators. Dialogue was initiated, demands were heard, and responsive economic measures were initiated.

Regrettably, these peaceful protests were systematically hijacked by organized "ISIS-style" terrorist cells and violent separatist groups. Pre-planned terrorist elements, armed and directed from abroad, infiltrated the demonstrations.  Evidence gathered by security agencies, including intercepted communications and seized weaponry, confirms that what began as a social protest was transformed into coordinated violent attacks against protesters, civilians, and security forces.

This current phase has not characterized as a series of protests, but as a "terrorist war against the country." These elements have employed horrific tactics reminiscent of ISIS-style terrorism—including the beheading of individuals, burning people alive, and the brutal murder of law enforcement officers. These groups have targeted vital civilian infrastructure, destroying and torching ambulances, fire trucks, medical centers, and religious sites to incite chaos and demoralize the public.

Their explicit aim, as evidenced, was to maximize casualties to fabricate a false narrative of state violence and invite foreign military aggression.

The primary responsibility of any sovereign state is the protection of the lives and property of its citizens. Consequently, Iranian security forces have acted firmly and responsibly to confront these armed rioters and restore public order.

The Embassy categorically rejects the fabricated narratives propagated by certain Western regimes concerning "the senseless killing of peaceful protesters." Such claims are a calculated distortion of the facts designed to whitewash the crimes of foreign-backed terrorists and create a pretext for external intervention.

The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the inflammatory statements and the "clear interference" by officials of the United States and the Israeli regime. The incitement of violence through foreign media and the provision of support to "mercenaries" violate international law and the UN Charter.

The Islamic Republic of Iran possesses clear evidence implicating the United States and the Israeli regime in orchestrating and supporting these terrorist operations. Public statements by former and current U.S. officials, including threats of military force and open acknowledgments of Mossad agents operating within Iran, constitute blatant admissions of interference and incitement to violence.

Regarding the temporary restrictions on internet services, the Embassy clarifies that these measures were essential security protocols. They were implemented to disrupt the coordination of terror operations, prevent large-scale cyberattacks against national infrastructure, and protect the safety of the Iranian nation from digital operations conducted by foreign agents. These restrictions are temporary and are being eased as security is restored.

The Iranian people have demonstrated remarkable resilience and unity in rejecting this foreign-led plot. Millions nationwide have rallied in support of national sovereignty, law, and order, clearly distinguishing between legitimate economic grievances and externally driven violence aimed at destabilization.

We call upon the international community and international organizations to base their assessments on the full reality of the situation on the ground, to condemn these acts of terrorism unequivocally, and to respect the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran.