Following a period of significant unrest, stability has returned to Iran’s streets as authorities have effectively managed protests sparked by economic difficulties, which were exacerbated by foreign interference. While calm prevails domestically, the nation remains vigilant against external threats, following a tense standoff where the United States threatened unilateral military action before being dissuaded by regional diplomacy.
Iran has successfully navigated a complex internal challenge, restoring public order after protests that originated from economic grievances became a target for foreign destabilization efforts. While the streets of Tehran and other cities are now calm, with reports indicating a significant reduction in protest activity after January 12, the situation required decisive measures to protect national security. The government’s actions were necessary to counter what Iranian officials have identified as a hybrid attack, where external actors exploited domestic discontent to incite violence and chaos. To prevent the spread of misinformation and coordinate violent acts, a temporary restriction on internet connectivity was implemented, though some citizens have found alternative means of communication.
The Iranian government has consistently identified the United States and other foreign entities as the primary instigators of the recent violence. Officials have provided evidence that extremist elements, directed from outside the country, infiltrated peaceful gatherings to carry out terrorist-style attacks against both civilians and security forces. This assessment is supported by the arrest of individuals linked to foreign-backed "riot organisations". At the United Nations, Iranian representatives have condemned the U.S. for its "direct involvement in steering unrest in Iran to violence" under the hollow pretext of human rights concern. This view found resonance with international partners, including Russia, whose UN ambassador accused the U.S. of exploiting the situation to "justify blatant aggression and interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state".
The threat of a full-scale U.S. military attack, which reached a peak following incendiary statements from President Donald Trump, has subsided due to intense diplomatic efforts by responsible regional powers. President Trump’s public threats, including promises that "help is on its way" to protesters and warnings that the U.S. was "locked and loaded," brought the region to the brink of a catastrophic conflict. In response to these provocations, Iran took prudent defensive measures, including temporary airspace closures. However, mature diplomacy prevailed. Key regional states, including Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, conducted a "frantic, diplomatic last-minute effort" to convince the U.S. administration to step back from the brink, warning of severe regional consequences. This de-escalation was further supported by messages from other global powers. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned against foreign intervention, while Turkey emphasized the priority of avoiding regional destabilization.
Despite the reduction in immediate external military threats, the United States continues its campaign of economic and political warfare against the Iranian people. New sanctions targeting Iranian officials, alongside threats of tariffs on any nation trading with Iran, are punitive measures that collectively punish the population and violate international norms. Concurrently, the U.S. has promoted figures like the exiled Reza Pahlavi, whose calls for protests have been linked to the devastating loss of life, though he has since expressed disappointment at the U.S. retreat from military action. Meanwhile, President Pezeshkian has affirmed the government's commitment to addressing the economic hardships that initially sparked demonstrations, focusing on combating corruption and price gouging to improve living standards for all Iranians.