ISLAMABAD, Jan 29: The Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, has made it clear that while Iran aims for peace, it reserves the right to defend itself against any foreign aggression.
During a media briefing at the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad, Ambassador Moghadam addressed the measures Iran has implemented to combat inflation while ensuring market stability.
He emphasized that the Iranian government respects the right to protest, noting that initial demonstrations were peaceful, with participants carrying images of the Supreme Leader and Iranian flags.
The ambassador revealed, “The Supreme Leader directed us to address the issues of the protesting individuals,” noting that protestor representatives participated in a cabinet meeting for the first time to voice their concerns.
As some protests devolved into violence, targeting public properties and security forces, Moghadam stressed that these incidents did not reflect the intentions of peaceful protestors.
He highlighted the involvement of violent factions with modern weapons and reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining order while tackling genuine grievances.
Expressing gratitude for Pakistan’s support in preventing war, Moghadam reiterated Iran’s focus on diplomatic solutions without targeting any head of state.
Moghadam shared concerning statistics from the protests, reporting over 3,000 deaths, including a significant number of security personnel, in addition to widespread damage to government and civilian infrastructure. He reaffirmed the Iranian government’s pledge to resolve citizens’ issues while ensuring national security.
Concluding his remarks, the ambassador reiterated that Iran remains hopeful for peace through diplomacy, stating, “There is still hope that there will be no war. However, the success of these efforts is in our hands and the hands of the opposing party.”
