Iran's military pledges to defend national interests amid protests

The Iranian military pledged on Saturday to defend national interests, protect strategic infrastructure and public property amid ongoing protests, and urged Iranians to unite to "thwart the enemy's plots," reported Xinhua, quoting state broadcaster IRIB.

In a statement, the military accused Israel and "hostile terrorist organizations" of "attempting to undermine order and peace in cities and disrupt public security through another conspiracy," and of "trying to incite another rebellion in the name of supporting the Iranian people." It called on the public to remain vigilant and unite to "defeat the enemy's plots," saying Iran is "in the middle of a war."

The statement said the army, together with other armed forces, "under the command" of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, would monitor enemy movements and resolutely defend national interests while protecting strategic infrastructure and public property.

Separately, Iran's Fars News Agency reported that Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Israel should be held responsible for the current situation in Iran.

The spokesperson for Iran's Constitutional Council attributed the protests in the country to foreign interference.

"Foreign interference has turned peaceful livelihood protests of people directed at livelihood demands into riots and unrest," Hadi Tahan Nazif told a press conference on Saturday, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

On the same day, the governor of Baharestan told Tasnim that 100 people accused of disrupting public order and leading riots had been arrested in the city. He said they used firearms and cold weapons to attack civilians and security forces.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States "stands ready to help" concerning the situation in Iran as he claimed Iran is "looking at FREEDOM," renewing his threats against the Middle Eastern country.

"Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Trump and other senior U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that Washington would take action if Iran "kills peaceful protesters."

"If they start killing people ... we will get involved," Trump told reporters on Friday, adding that "that doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts."

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned what it described as "interventionist and deceptive" remarks by the Trump administration about the unrest, saying they reflected Washington's continued hostility toward the Iranian people.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

Meanwhile, European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday (local time) expressed strong solidarity with protesters in Iran, condemning the authorities' violent crackdown on nationwide demonstrations and calling for the "immediate release of all detained" demonstrators, reported ANI.

Sharing a post on X, von der Leyen said, "Tehran's streets, and cities around the world, echo with the footsteps of Iranian women and men demanding freedom. Freedom to speak, to gather, to travel and above all to live freely." She asserted that Europe stands firmly with the protesters, adding, "We unequivocally condemn the violent repression of these legitimate demonstrations."

Warning Iranian authorities, the European Commission President said those responsible for the crackdown "will be remembered on the wrong side of history." She further called for the "immediate release of all imprisoned demonstrators," the "restoration of full internet access," and urged that "fundamental rights" be respected.

"Those responsible will be remembered on the wrong side of history. We call for the immediate release of all imprisoned demonstrators. We call for the restoration of full internet access. And we call, at last, for fundamental rights to be respected," the EU chief said.

The remarks come as protests in Iran entered the thirteenth day, evolving from demonstrations over rising living costs into a nationwide movement calling for the end of the Islamic Republic, which has ruled the country since the 1979 revolution.

Further, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has come out in support of the Iranian protestors. In a post on X, Rubio said, "The United States supports the brave people of Iran."

Meanwhile, Iran's former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who is living in exile, on Saturday called on Iranians working in economic sectors to strike work and to move to occupy the centre of Tehran. Pahlavi voiced support for protesters across the country, praising continued demonstrations against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the ruling establishment.

"I call upon the workers and employees of key economic sectors--especially transportation, oil, gas, and energy--to begin the process of nationwide strikes. Furthermore, I ask all of you today and tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday (January 9 and 10/Day 20 and 21), starting from 6:00 PM, to take to the streets with flags, portraits, and national symbols to reclaim public spaces. Our goal is no longer merely to be present in the streets; the goal is to prepare for the capture and holding of city centres," he said.

The nations called on the Iranian government to end the use of aggressive force against the protesters and preserve their right to freedom of expression.