Million-strong rallies across Iran send firm message rejecting foreign interference, unrest
TEHRAN, Jan. 13 (YPA) – Million-strong mass demonstrations were held on Monday in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and across several provinces, in a striking national display carrying clear political and popular messages.
The rallies underscored public adherence to national security and stability, renewed allegiance to the Islamic Revolution and its leadership, and expressed firm rejection of foreign interference and armed unrest.
The rallies were held under the banner “National Solidarity and Honoring Peace and Friendship,” following official and popular calls for unity in the face of external attempts to undermine internal security through support for subversive groups and organized violence.
Popular messages against foreign interference
Participants chanted slogans condemning the United States and Israeli entity, affirming rejection of any foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs. Demonstrators emphasized their commitment to security and stability, while denouncing armed riots and unrest that have damaged public and private property and endangered citizens’ safety.
They stressed that peaceful protest is a legitimate right, but argued that recent events have gone beyond this framework, turning into organized violence that serves foreign agendas rather than genuine popular demands.
Unified front against external pressure
Speaking during the marches, Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said the steadfastness of the Iranian people and their presence in the streets were among the main reasons behind the failure of what he described as American-Israeli aggression and its objectives.
He stated that nearly 90 million Iranians from all social and political backgrounds are standing united against foreign interference, describing the recent violence as acts of revenge targeting the Iranian people across all segments of society.
Ghalibaf stressed that Iran has never allowed its enemies to achieve their goals, addressing a message to former US President Donald Trump in which he said: “You may kill leaders, but the school of resistance has become a continuous global current—and it will prevail.”
Diplomatic response
Parallel to the mass demonstrations, Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned the ambassadors of several Western countries, including Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. According to Iranian state TV, the ministry presented video evidence documenting armed violence accompanying some protests.
The ministry stressed that the demonstrations had deviated from their peaceful nature and involved systematic acts of sabotage, urging the ambassadors to convey an accurate picture to their governments and to withdraw any political or media support for what it described as “rioters.” Tehran reaffirmed its categorical rejection of any external interference, warning that support for violent acts constitutes a direct violation of Iran’s internal security.
Claims of foreign involvement
Separately, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said preliminary investigations into the ongoing unrest revealed “clear and hidden evidence” of US and Israeli involvement. He described these actions as part of a compound war aimed at destabilizing Iran and undermining social cohesion.
A decisive popular message
The million-strong turnout reflected, according to officials, the depth of grassroots support for the Islamic Republic and underscores the repeated failure of attempts to overthrow the system through internal chaos or external pressure.
The demonstrations conveyed a message that Iran remains committed to a path rooted in popular will, national unity, and political awareness as safeguards of sovereignty and independence in the face of foreign domination.
AA