ISLAMABAD, Jan 29: The Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, emphasized that while Iran seeks peace, it reserves the right to self-defense in the face of foreign aggression.
During a media briefing at the Iranian embassy in Islamabad, Ambassador Moghadam underscored the Iranian government’s efforts to control inflation and ensure market stability.
He highlighted that the government acknowledges the right to peaceful protests, noting that citizens initially demonstrated peacefully, holding images of the Supreme Leader and Iranian flags. The Supreme Leader has instructed to address the concerns of the protesters, leading to representatives being invited to a cabinet meeting for the first time.
As protests turned violent with attacks on public property and security forces, Moghadam clarified that such actions do not represent the peaceful demonstrators. He pointed to the use of modern weapons by violent factions and stressed the government’s commitment to maintaining order while addressing legitimate grievances.
The ambassador expressed gratitude towards Pakistan for its support in efforts to avert war and reiterated that Iran is focused on diplomatic solutions, with no intentions of targeting any head of state.
Moghadam shared concerning statistics from the protests, reporting over 3,000 deaths, including many security personnel, and significant damage to both government and civilian infrastructure. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to resolving citizen issues while ensuring national security.
In closing, the ambassador expressed hope for successful diplomatic efforts, stating, “There is still hope that there will be no war. However, the success of these efforts lies in our hands and those of the opposing party.”
