The national flag of Iran has been lowered at the Iranian Embassy in Dushanbe following the declaration of three days of nationwide mourning in the Islamic Republic.
In a statement, the diplomatic mission said the mourning period was announced in memory of what it described as the “martyrs of national resistance.”
“In connection with the declaration of three days of nationwide mourning, the flag of Iran at the embassy in Dushanbe has been lowered. The embassy expresses its deep condolences and full solidarity with the proud people of Iran and extends gratitude for the nation’s heroic participation in the nationwide march as a vivid demonstration of unity, resilience, and national resistance,” the statement said.
The nationwide mourning period in Iran was declared on January 11 for those killed during what authorities describe as resistance against the United States and Israel.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said during a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Tehran that the United States and Israel were involved in the unrest in Iran and that Tehran has evidence to support these claims, RBC reported.
“We have numerous documents and evidence of U.S. and Israeli involvement in the terrorist actions of recent days in Iran,” Araghchi said, adding that those responsible would be held accountable. He also stated that the authorities had brought the protest situation under control.
Iranian officials have previously said that 38 law enforcement officers were killed during the dispersal of protests. No official figures were provided regarding civilian casualties.
The Iranian authorities called on citizens to take part in a march on January 12 to “demonstrate national unity and cohesion to the world.” The rally was titled “National Solidarity and Respect for Peace and Friendship.”
According to Iranian state media, thousands of people responded to the call and gathered in Tehran in support of the government. State television aired footage of a large crowd in central Tehran waving Iranian flags. Deutsche Welle reported that similar pro-government rallies were held in other cities across the country.
Meanwhile, the human rights organization IHR reported that the number of protesters killed has exceeded 600, with 48 members of the security forces also reported dead. The Tasnim news agency, for its part, reported 109 fatalities among security personnel.
Protests in Iran began on December 28 at Tehran’s main bazaar, initially led by shop owners and students angered by the sharp devaluation of the national currency and soaring prices. Amid the economic turmoil, Iran’s Central Bank Governor Mohammad Farzin resigned.
The demonstrations later spread to other cities and took on a political dimension, with protesters calling for a change of regime.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier acknowledged the legitimacy of the protesters’ socio-economic demands, stating, “If we do not solve the everyday problems of the people, we will go to hell.” He also said that Iran is, in his words, “in a full-scale war with Israel, Europe, and America.”
