Million-man marches in Iran against armed riots, foreign meddling

Massive, million-man protests spread across Iran on Monday morning under the banner of “National Solidarity and Honoring Peace and Friendship,” in condemnation of the armed riots that hit and reaffirming popular support for the Islamic Republic.

Iranians poured into the streets from Tehran to the southeast of Iran to condemn armed riots and reaffirm support for state stability.

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Iran reported that participants in the demonstrations, which spread to several provinces, brandished the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran and chanted slogans against the United States and “Israel”, expressing their rejection of foreign meddling in their country’s affairs.

Iranians demonstrated against the armed riots and the subsequent unrest, emphasizing their commitment to security and stability, according to our correspondent.

Funeral processions held
He noted that several Iranian cities witnessed funeral processions for many of those targeted and killed in the armed riots, coinciding with the start of the massive demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television broadcast live footage from protests spanning several cities across Iran, including Zahedan, Birjand, and Kerman, in the southeast of the country.

As millions take to the streets, Tehran’s message is clear: yes to protests, but armed chaos and foreign interference will not be tolerated.

On Sunday, the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps called for widespread participation in national solidarity rallies to affirm support for stability and reject rioting and foreign interference. They emphasized the right to peaceful protest, holding the United States and “Israel” responsible for the acts of sabotage and the deaths of protesters.

Protests ongoing
Kermanshah province in western Iran witnessed on Sunday mass demonstrations denouncing the recent armed riots across the country. Protesters raised slogans such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” voicing strong opposition to any form of foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs.

Amid heightened tensions, Iran held large public funerals for members of the Internal Security Forces killed during the unrest.

In Bojnurd, North Khorasan province, two officers were laid to rest as similar ceremonies took place in Gachsaran, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, and in Ilam, southwest Iran, honoring other security personnel who lost their lives during the recent violence.

Commenting on the developments, Iranian police chief Ahmad Reza Radan warned against supporting rioters, stating that “any individual who sides with the rioters becomes a victim of their violence.”

He emphasized the need to distinguish between peaceful protesters and those involved in acts of sabotage, accusing rioters of following a deliberate plan aimed at targeting Iranian youth. Radan confirmed that several key instigators were arrested overnight and will face legal proceedings without leniency.

Iran witnesses armed riots, sabotage
Iran has been witnessing armed riots and acts of sabotage that have infiltrated peaceful protests against the economic situation, resulting in the deaths of civilians and Iranian security personnel.
Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that armed sabotage infiltrated legitimate economic protests, leading to civilian and police casualties, and accused US-Israeli-linked networks of fueling the violence.
The Iranian authorities are pursuing the rioters and saboteurs, uncovering their links to terrorist organizations or separatist groups that serve the interests of Mossad and the United States.

Foreign powers orchestrating unrest: Pezeshkian
On January 11, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised address to the nation that “the riots are being directed by the United States and Israel, which are issuing orders with the aim of undermining Iran’s security,” emphasizing that foreign powers are orchestrating the unrest and seeking to destabilize the country while Iranian authorities monitor the situation closely.

Pezeshkian stressed that “the people of this country protest and voice their objections, but they do not set fire to markets or commit crimes,” affirming that the government is “determined to continue its economic reforms and clearly distinguishes between legitimate protests and organized acts of rioting.” He also underlined that Iran’s institutions remain committed to addressing economic grievances through lawful and institutional channels.

US, Israeli attempts will only yield defeat: IRGC
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said acts of sedition and violence carried out by rioters and armed groups have led to the deaths of hundreds of Iranian citizens.

In a statement, the IRGC said the outcome of what it described as crimes committed by rioters and terrorist groups linked to the United States and the Israeli regime would be defeat, as seen in previous episodes of unrest.

The IRGC called on all segments of the Iranian population to participate “widely and decisively” in public rallies scheduled for Monday, stressing that mass participation would demonstrate national unity.

Trump, Netanyahu armed terrorists
According to the statement, US President Donald Trump, with Western backing and in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, armed and directed mercenary groups to carry out terrorist operations and riots inside Iran.

The IRGC stressed the importance of vigilance and awareness, particularly among young people whom it described as committed to Iran’s progress, independence, and national strength.

It added that the Iranian people, through large-scale public mobilization, would deliver what it called a decisive blow to the leaders of the United States and “Israel”.