• Iranian ambassador to Pakistan says his country will only accept dialogue if it leads to ‘win-win outcome’
• Insists peaceful protests were hijacked by ‘conspirators’, admits ‘some Iranians’ were involved

ISLAMABAD: Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam, has said that Tehran would accept dialogue only if it results in a win-win outcome.

He also acknowledged that Iran was ready for talks ‘if approached’, but warned that if war was imposed, “the Islamic Republic would respond in the same coin against any enemy”.

The ambassador was briefing the media at the Iranian Embassy on Thursday about the official findings related to the recent protests in the country. He said peaceful protests were hijacked by conspirators and acknowledged that some Iranians were also involved in the conspiracy.

The envoy emphasised that the extensive imposition of unilateral sanctions and coercive measures has a direct and adverse impact on the economic, social and cultural rights of the Iranian people.

Detailing the background of the situation, he said that on Sunday, December 28, 2025, sector-based protest gatherings began in Tehran’s Bazaar following an increase in foreign exchange rates.

The primary demand of the protesters was the restoration of stability in the market, he said, adding that the agents of the US and Israel later infiltrated the gatherings, resorted to violence and carried out arson by mingling with traders and peaceful demonstrators.

“The Zionist regime seeks to exploit every opportunity to sow division within Iranian society and undermine national cohesion,” he added.

The ambassador said statements and actions by the prime minister of the Zionist regime, as well as certain extremist and hardline American officials, were aimed at inciting violence, terrorism and criminal acts.

He said at the same time dissenters exploited the protests through foreign interference to create turmoil and unrest in the country.

“Some organised gangs and groups, along with foreign-backed terrorist and secessionist elements, diverted the protests into violent and armed clashes with law-enforcement forces and civilians,” he said, adding that these acts had no connection with the legitimate economic demands of the protesters and were neither endorsed nor supported by the majority of the population.

The briefing also referred to a message posted on X by former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo stating: “Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets, also to every Mossad agents walking beside them.”

The ambassador said that the Iranian people became aware of the true intentions behind the acts of arson and sabotage, and citizens of Islamic Republic came out on Monday, January 12, 2026 to demonstrate in support of the government.

‘Iran is an open country’

Meanwhile, responding to a query about the recurring resurgence of foreign saboteur networks in Iran, an Iranian diplomat told Dawn that Iran is an open country with a large number of tourists and a sizeable diaspora, adding that some individuals abroad fall prey to conspirators in Western countries.

Details of the damages caused during the unrest were also shared, including destruction of two churches, 200 schools, 15 libraries, 350 mosques, hundreds of ambulances, and numerous government and private buildings and properties.

The Iranian ambassador said the government had taken tangible and positive steps to address the root causes of economic and social concerns. He added that support packages for vulnerable groups had been implemented and consultative meetings held with representatives of guilds, bazaar unions and business communities in major cities.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026