The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has accused foreign-backed terrorist cells of hijacking recent economic protests and plunging parts of the country into violence, according to a statement released by the Iranian Embassy in Nairobi.

In the January 16, 2026, press release, the Embassy said unrest that began on December 28, 2025, was initially driven by “legitimate economic concerns” raised by bazaar merchants and trade guilds following fluctuations in foreign exchange rates that affected purchasing power.

“Pre-planned terrorist elements, armed and directed from abroad, infiltrated the demonstrations,” the press statement reads.

Authorities said the early demonstrations were peaceful and demand-driven, prompting the government to respond through dialogue and economic measures.

“The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution and international legal frameworks,” the Embassy said, noting that law enforcement exercised “maximum restraint” during the first days of protests.

However, Iranian authorities claim the situation later escalated after what they describe as “ISIS-style terrorist cells and violent separatist groups” infiltrated the demonstrations.

According to the statement, these groups were “armed and directed from abroad” and transformed protests into coordinated attacks against civilians and security forces.

The Embassy said the violence amounted to a “terrorist war against the country,” accusing the groups of targeting civilian infrastructure and attempting to manufacture a narrative of state violence to justify foreign intervention .

Iran also rejected claims by Western governments of indiscriminate force against protesters, describing such reports as “fabricated narratives” designed to “whitewash the crimes of foreign-backed terrorists”.

The statement directly accused the United States and Israel of interference, alleging incitement through public statements and media platforms.

On temporary internet restrictions imposed during the unrest, the Embassy said the measures were necessary to “disrupt the coordination of terror operations” and protect national infrastructure, adding that access is being restored as security improves.

The press release concluded by urging the international community to condemn the violence and respect Iran’s sovereignty, saying Iranians have shown “remarkable resilience and unity” in rejecting foreign-led destabilisation.