Iran Accuses US and Israel of Orchestrating January Violence, Reports Over 3,100 Deaths
Tehran – A recent report released by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council details allegations that the United States and Israel orchestrated a campaign of violence in January, aiming to destabilize the country by targeting its social cohesion following the perceived failure of direct military pressure. the report claims over 3,100 people were killed during the unrest, including 690 deaths occurring during the peak of the riots.
The Escalation of Violence: A Detailed Account
According to the council’s findings, the violence reached its most brutal point on January 8th and 9th, characterized by what the report describes as an “unprecedented level of brutality” and a “full-scale atrocity” supported by external actors. Terrorist elements allegedly engaged in extreme acts mirroring those of Daesh (ISIS), including beheadings, stabbings, and the burning of individuals alive. These acts were accompanied by systematic attacks on critical infrastructure, encompassing bazaars, shops, banks, mosques, hospitals, ambulances, fire stations, clinics, and other public facilities.
From Peaceful Protests to Organized Chaos
The report acknowledges that the initial unrest began as peaceful protests led by merchants and trade groups concerned about economic difficulties. President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly met with representatives of these groups and instructed law enforcement to exercise restraint. However, the council asserts that “organized chaos cells” deliberately intervened to prevent a peaceful resolution, escalating the situation into targeted armed attacks designed to inflict mass casualties and destabilize urban centers.
“After this stage, on the 8th and 9th of January, various terrorist acts were carried out in parts of the country to push the situation out of control and destabilize the cities through maximum violence and coordinated armed attacks on public places and gatherings intended to cause casualties and destroy public and private property,” the report states.
Intelligence Links Violence to prior military Efforts
Iranian intelligence suggests that the January violence was a direct result of the unsuccessful “12-day war” allegedly waged by the US and Israel in June of the previous year.This refers to a period of heightened tensions and covert operations attributed to these nations, which reportedly failed to achieve their objective of breaking the Iranian will. Faced with this setback, the report claims the US-Zionist axis shifted its strategy to focus on undermining Iran’s internal stability by targeting its social fabric.
“The enemy concluded that military tools could not make the Iranian nation surrender,” the statement reads. “Thus, they targeted the social integrity of the nation to break the collective national will.”
Attribution of Success and Return to Normalcy
The Supreme National Security Council attributes the failure of this alleged “sinister plot” to several key factors: the leadership of ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the sacrifices made by Iranian security forces, and the widespread public demonstrations on January 12th, where millions of Iranians reportedly took to the streets to denounce the violence. This event, dubbed the “epic of January 12th,” is presented as a pivotal moment in quelling the unrest and reaffirming national unity.
The report concludes by emphasizing that normal life has returned to the country, and that the “national unity of the Iranian people has once again imposed defeat on the enemies of Iran.”
Key Takeaways
- High Death Toll: The report alleges over 3,100 deaths occurred during the January unrest, with a significant portion occurring during the peak of the violence on January 8th and 9th.
- Allegations of Foreign Interference: Iran accuses the US and Israel of orchestrating the violence as a follow-up to a failed military campaign.
- Shift in Tactics: The report claims the US and Israel shifted from direct military aggression to targeting Iran’s social cohesion.
- Role of Domestic Actors: “Organized chaos cells” are accused of escalating peaceful protests into violent attacks.
- National Unity as a Countermeasure: The Iranian government credits the public’s response, notably the January 12th demonstrations, with thwarting the alleged plot.
