The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Republic of Korea hereby announces that the Supreme National Security Council has issued an official statement concerning the riots and terrorist acts that recently occurred in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The statement aims to provide a clear, accurate, and comprehensive explanation of the nature, background, and underlying dimensions of the unrest and disturbances in Iran. The main points of the statement are as follows: “Based on comprehensive monitoring, intelligence assessments, and security measures conducted over recent days, the security, law-enforcement, and judicial authorities have determined that, in the aftermath of the 12-day war of aggression waged by the United States and the Zionist regime, and in light of the firm and effective resistance demonstrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran in response to this aggression the adversaries ultimately concluded that reliance on military force alone is incapable of subduing the Iranian nation. The exceptional social solidarity and national unity of the Iranian people constituted a decisive pillar of Iran’s success during the 12-day war of aggression, providing the essential foundation that enabled the Iranian Armed Forces to confront the aggressors effectively. Accordingly, the United States and the Zionist regime altered their approach, seeking to target the social cohesion of the Iranian nation and to lay the groundwork for undermining the resolve and collective will of the Iranian people.” The statement of the Supreme National Security Council further noted: “In a number of cities, market merchants and trade unions held peaceful demonstrations, to which the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran responded by convening consultations to personally hear the views of their representatives, instructing law-enforcement authorities to facilitate peaceful assemblies and to exercise restraint, and issuing the necessary directives to address the concerns of economic stakeholders. Nevertheless, organized elements behind the unrest sought to prevent these gatherings from remaining peaceful and, from 30 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, deliberately escalated protests across cities nationwide into acts of violence, inflicting damage upon the public and the country as a whole.” The Supreme National Security Council further addressed the repercussions of the widespread violence and armed attacks that took place on 8 and 9 January 2026, stating: “On 8 and 9 January 2026, numerous terrorist acts were perpetrated across the country with the deliberate objective of pushing the situation beyond control and plunging cities into widespread disorder. These acts involved the systematic use of extreme violence and targeted, organized armed attacks against specific locations and public gatherings, aimed at destroying public and private property and deliberately taking innocent lives. During this period, terrorist elements carried out extensive acts of destruction against markets and commercial establishments, banks, mosques and other religious sites, ambulances, public transportation systems, medical facilities, fuel stations, as well as other public and private property. In addition, they perpetrated ISIS-style crimes, including burning individuals alive, beheadings, and knife attacks, while making widespread use of firearms. As a consequence of these acts, out of a total of 3,117 fatalities, 2,427 were innocent civilians and individuals tasked with maintaining public order and security. A significant number of the martyrs were ordinary passersby who lost their lives as a result of indiscriminate assaults and blind acts of terror carried out with clear intent to kill, while others were demonstrators who were deliberately targeted by organized terrorist groups amid the protests.” In addition to the martyrdom of innocent civilians, it is important to note that terrorist and riotous elements inflicted extensive damage on public and private property and facilities. These heinous acts resulted in the partial or total destruction or incineration of the following: 305 ambulances and buses. 24 gas stations. 700 private convenience stores. 300 private residences. 750 banks. 414 government buildings. 749 police vehicles. 120 Basij (security forces) centers. 200 schools. 350 mosques, including the destruction of thousands of copies of the Holy Qur’an. Dozens of public libraries. 89 religious centers. 253 bus stations. 600 ATMs. 800 private cars.   The Islamic Republic of Iran affirms that all those responsible for these terrorist acts, including external operatives and terrorists involved on the ground, will be held fully accountable and subjected to the strictest legal measures, so that justice is served for the innocent lives lost as a result of these crimes.