Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Jan. 11 called on Iranians to demonstrate for economic solutions and against violent provocateurs. He broadcast: “We call on the Iranian people to go to the squares to make a decision and not allow riots to distort their demands…. Iranian society does not accept those who set fire to mosques.” He blamed foreign interests for infiltrating the protests, trying to hijack legitimate concerns, and also expressed condolences over civilian deaths. After warning against participation in riots, he stated: “We officially recognize peaceful protests and consider dialogue with protesters our duty. We are ready to meet with all protesting parties inside the country.”
Regarding the actual grievances stemming from the foreign assault upon Iran’s currency and the consequent massive devaluation, he announced actions to alleviate industry and agriculture: “We will certainly resolve the problems and concerns of producers.” Around $8 billion will be “allocated to support liquidity that producers—whether industrial or agricultural producers—and small industries that are operating need to have access to.... They will be able to draw” that financing. “The implementation is underway. At the moment, people may visit banks, and it might not yet be finalized, but these decisions have been made, and they are carrying out the implementation…. I want to say that our producers should not be worried, because we are obligated to resolve their problems.”
