Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding the situation in Iran

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova
Photo: MFA

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding the situation in Iran.

Question: For over a fortnight, anti-government demonstrations in Iran have persisted, escalating into unrest. Could you comment on the current situation in the country?

Maria Zakharova: The unlawful sanctions pressure exerted by the West, to which the Islamic Republic of Iran has been subjected for many years, impedes the nation’s development and gives rise to economic and social challenges, primarily affecting ordinary Iranians. Hostile external forces are seeking to exploit the mounting public tension to destabilise and undermine the Iranian state. The notorious methods of colour revolutions are being employed, whereby peaceful protests are transformed – through the efforts of provocateurs trained and armed abroad – into brutal and senseless acts of violence, including riots, the murder of law enforcement officers and civilians, and even children.

We unequivocally condemn the subversive external interference in Iran’s internal political processes. It is particularly noteworthy that the Iranian government has demonstrated a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with society to identify effective means of mitigating the adverse socioeconomic consequences of the West’s hostile policies.

The threats emanating from Washington regarding further military strikes against the Islamic Republic are categorically unacceptable. Those who contemplate using externally instigated unrest as a pretext to repeat the aggression against Iran, as witnessed in June 2025, must be fully aware of the detrimental repercussions such actions would have for the Middle East and global international security. We also firmly reject the brazen attempts to blackmail Iran’s foreign partners through the imposition of increased trade tariffs.

The evolving dynamics of the domestic political situation in Iran, coupled with the recent decline in artificially fuelled protests, offer grounds for cautious optimism regarding a gradual stabilisation of the situation. The thousands-strong marches by Iranians in support of the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty testify to the failure of the sinister designs harboured by those who resent the existence of nations capable of pursuing an independent foreign policy and choosing their own allies on the international stage.

We remain in contact with our diplomatic missions in Iran. They are operating as normal and maintain constant communication with Russian compatriots residing in the country. We advise them to exercise reasonable precautions: refrain from visiting crowded areas, avoid photography and videography, and strictly adhere to the directives of law enforcement and special services.

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