Pezeshkian accuses U.S., Israel of fueling unrest in Iran

In a televised interview on January 11, 2026, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that following the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025, Iran's enemies have sought to sow chaos. He alleged that the United States and Israel are directing "rioters" to destabilize the country, while "terrorists" colluding with foreign forces are killing innocent people and attacking public property.

Pezeshkian called on the public to distance themselves from "rioters and terrorists," noting that the government is advancing a major subsidy system reform aimed at stabilizing the market, boosting production, enhancing people's purchasing power and strengthening supply chain supervision. He also updated the public on the latest progress of the reform and emphasized that authorities are ready to listen to the voices of the people.

On the same day, Iran's Police Chief Ahmad Reza Radan revealed that key participants in the riots were arrested on the evening of January 10 and will be punished upon completion of legal proceedings. Meanwhile, Masoud Mossadegh, commander of Iran's Police Special Forces, said that eight security personnel were killed while performing riot-quelling tasks between January 8 and 9. "A large number of rioters opened fire on them and launched attacks with various weapons," he said.

Security sources added that approximately 200 "terrorist leaders and operation commanders" have been arrested nationwide, with a large cache of ammunition and weapons – including grenades and Molotov cocktails – seized from rioters' hideouts. Khodratollah Mohammadi, director of Tehran's Fire Department, said armed rioters burned down 26 civilian residences and carried out arson attacks on 34 mosques, 40 banks, 15 shopping malls and 13 government buildings.

Earlier, demonstrations erupted across the country amid rising prices and currency depreciation, with riots in multiple regions leading to casualties. Multiple Iranian officials have pointed the finger at the United States and Israel, accusing them of being the driving force behind the unrest.

(Cover: An anti-U.S. and Israeli billboard depicting symbolic images of coffins of U.S. and Israeli soldiers, alongside a statement from the Speaker of Iran's Parliament, Tehran, Iran, January 6, 2026. /VCG)