Mahdavi Raja, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, has reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of its citizens while safeguarding public order and national security.
Raja made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, against the backdrop of recent unrest and protests in Iran, driven by economic grievances and public dissatisfaction with living conditions.
According to the ambassador, the expression of demands through lawful and peaceful means remains the legitimate right of citizens, as guaranteed under Iran’s Constitution and domestic laws.
“Respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, has consistently been emphasised by Iran,” Raja said, noting that such rights provide a framework for civic participation, social cohesion, and public trust.
However, he warned that some protests had deviated from their original purpose and escalated into unrest due to what he described as hidden agendas and foreign interference.
“Developments on the ground indicate that in some cases, these protests are diverted from their original path and escalated into unrest, shaped by hidden agendas and foreign interference,” he said.
Raja disclosed that the Iranian government had implemented economic support measures, strengthened social welfare systems, expanded employment opportunities, and introduced targeted reforms aimed at easing economic pressures and restoring calm.
He added that dialogue and engagement with citizens remained central to Iran’s approach, stressing that “lasting stability can only be achieved through constructive communication and responsible policy.”
The envoy also decried what he described as interventions by hostile states and organised terrorist groups, alleging that their actions had contributed to increased insecurity, violent clashes, unrest, and loss of lives.
“Evidence indicated such actions were coordinated within Iranian territory with the aim of transforming peaceful protests into violence and instability,” Raja said, adding that the scale of such activities had grown in recent days, posing a direct threat to public safety and social order.
He maintained that any attempt to provoke or legitimise internal unrest as a basis for external pressure or military intervention was prohibited under international law.
“These actions constitute a blatant violation of the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of Iran and a clear breach of the United Nations Charter,” he said, citing Articles 2(1), 4, and 7 of the Charter, as well as UN General Assembly Resolution 2625 of 1970.
Raja concluded by saying the Iranian nation had responded with unity and resilience, demonstrating a strong commitment to preserving national security and stability.
