Iran’s capital witnesses on Monday million-man marches protesting recent foreign-backed riots and demonstrating support for the Islamic establishment.
Entitled “National Solidarity and Promotion of Peace and Friendship,” the rallies already took place in several provinces including the capital, Tehran, local media reported.
⚡️⭕️ Iran: National solidarity rally to condemn recent terrorist acts in Kerman, Zahedan and Rasht cities
— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) January 12, 2026
The rallies throughout the country will officially start at 2pm local time in Iran, 3.5 hours from now pic.twitter.com/RJe0t5F6Gz
Iranian officials described the nationwide demonstrations as “proof of unity, which secures the nation’s resilience.”
Mass turnout in Iran’s Azerbaijan province in support of Iran and denouncing armed acts of terrorism by rioters.
— PressTV Extra (@PresstvExtra) January 12, 2026
Nationwide rallies have seen tens of thousands take to the streets to condemn foreign‑backed unrest and organized violence.
Follow: https://t.co/7Dg3b41PJ5 pic.twitter.com/jlUPmB7mOz
Riots were sparked across the Islamic Republic after being fueled by the US and the Zionist entity. Some shopkeepers last week staged limited street protests in several Iranian cities over economic instability, but the demonstrations were steered toward violence after public statements by US and Israeli figures, amplified by Israeli-linked Persian-language outlets, encouraged vandalism and disorder.
Several security forces and Basij members were martyred or injured in the riots.
IRAN riots
— Angelo Giuliano 🇨🇭🇮🇹🔻🔻🔻 (@angeloinchina) January 1, 2026
In the US such rioters would be shot dead.
Not in Iran, criminals have human rights despite their crimes. They are brought to justice and then punished. pic.twitter.com/kk8wharO7U
Iranian authorities have acknowledged the legitimacy of peaceful economic grievances and vowed to address them, while blaming foreign-backed elements for exploiting concerns over rising living costs and the depreciation of the national currency, which is directly linked to unilateral US sanctions targeting Iran’s central bank and oil exports.
Tehran’s mayor Alireza Zakani announced that the riots resulted in the burning of 25 mosques in the capital, damage to 26 banks and three medical centers, in addition to damage to 10 government buildings, and a number of fire trucks, buses and ambulances, in the context of deliberate attempts to attack public and service facilities.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced support for protesters and warned Washington could attack Iran if what he called “peaceful protesters” were harmed, while former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has issued statements alluding to Mossad involvement and separatist plots.
Commenting on the rallies, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei vowed on Friday that the state “will not back down against vandals seeking to please US president,” urging unity and reiterating that a united nation can overcome any enemy.
Source: Al-Manar English Website