Iran Says Calm Restored, Rejects Foreign Fake News Narrative

By Zarul Effendi Razali

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Tehran and other major Iranian cities have returned to calm, following a period of widespread unrest earlier this month, Iran’s ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi said.

He said the situation has stabilised, with no further demonstrations or security incidents being reported. 

“The unrest was contained within about two and a half days. From (last) Saturday till now, everything is normal.

“Normal life had resumed across the capital and other cities,” he told Bernama in an interview on recent developments in Iran following the unrest.

The ambassador also rejected what he described as biased coverage by some foreign media of the unrest, alleging widespread misinformation and the use of misleading visuals. 

According to Valiollah, some footage broadcast by the media was outdated or taken from other countries and presented as current scenes from Iran.

Citing seasonal inconsistencies as an example, he said while Iran is now in winter, footages have shown people dressed for warm weather. 

“Life in Tehran and other cities have returned to normal, the situation on the ground differed sharply from what portrayed by media abroad,” he said.

Valiollah also denied news reports that the Iranian government has imposed a nationwide curfew.

The unrest followed peaceful assembly of traders at Tehran Bazaar on Dec 28 over economic grievances linked to sanctions and currency fluctuations. 

“First day and second day, police didn't do anything,” Valiollah said, adding that authorities intervened only after violence escalated and public safety was threatened.

Iranian authorities have blamed foreign elements for fomenting the violence. According to the ambassador, some individuals arrested had confessed to being paid to carry out attacks.

On internet disruption, Valiollah said the move was done to block coordination which was believed to be coming from outside the country to incite public disorder. He added that restrictions would be lifted once authorities were confident external interference had ceased.

The ambassador urged the international community, including those from the Southeast Asian region, to assess the situation based on verified information.

“I hope, InshaAllah, all countries will learn the real story, not fake ones,” he said.

-- BERNAMA