Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Jan 11: Iran’s armed forces have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding national interests and protecting key infrastructure and public property as protests continue in parts of the country, state broadcaster IRIB reported on Saturday.

In an official statement, the military accused Israel and what it described as “hostile terrorist groups” of attempting to destabilize Iranian cities and disrupt public security. It alleged that these actors were seeking to provoke fresh unrest under the pretext of supporting the Iranian people, and urged citizens to remain alert and united to counter what it called “enemy plots.” The statement claimed Iran was effectively facing a state of war.

According to the statement, the army, alongside other branches of the armed forces and under the command of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would closely monitor hostile activities and respond decisively to protect the country’s strategic assets and public property, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Fars News Agency quoted Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as saying that Israel should be held accountable for the current tensions and unrest in the country.

Echoing similar views, the spokesperson of Iran’s Constitutional Council blamed foreign involvement for escalating protests. Hadi Tahan Nazif said that demonstrations initially focused on economic and livelihood concerns had been transformed into violence and disorder due to outside interference, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Authorities also reported arrests linked to the unrest. The governor of Baharestan told Tasnim that 100 individuals had been detained for allegedly instigating riots and disrupting public order. He claimed the accused used both firearms and bladed weapons to attack civilians and security personnel.