Turkey Expresses Concern Over the 'Escalation' of Protests in Iran

Turkey expressed concern over the ongoing street protests in Iran and warned about the escalation of unrest. Meanwhile, Syria declared its solidarity with the Iranian government against street protesters in Iranian cities. On Tuesday, January 2, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying, 'Turkey is concerned about reports of protests in Iran and that these protests have escalated, resulting in casualties and damage to some public places.' The recent five-day protests against the economic situation and governance of the Islamic Republic, which have been unprecedented since the widespread protests of 2009, have so far left 21 dead and continue in many cities across Iran. Three years ago, Turkey itself faced widespread protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who supports Islamic law. The Turkish Foreign Ministry, headed by Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, stated that 'Ankara places great importance on maintaining peace and stability in the friendly and brotherly country of Iran.' The Turkish Foreign Ministry added that everyone 'should' adhere to the statement by Hassan Rouhani [the President of Iran], which warned against violations of the law and damage to public places. This statement warned against what it called 'foreign interference' in Iran's affairs, adding that 'we believe that violence and provocation should be avoided.' Turkey is considered a regional rival of Iran, but recent cooperation between Tehran, Moscow, and Ankara over Syrian issues, as well as between Tehran and Ankara over the Kurdistan region of Iraq, has brought the positions of the Iranian and Turkish governments closer together. Conservative Turkish media have also recently expressed concern about the protests in Iran, with the pro-government newspaper Yeni Şafak describing the unrest in Iran as 'a dangerous trend.' This newspaper accused the United States of being behind the unrest, claiming that its goal is 'to turn Iran into another Syria.' This is an accusation that Iranian officials have also made, but so far no evidence or documentation has been provided in this regard. The Turkish newspaper Star Daily featured the headline 'Dirty Game, This Time in Iran' on its front page, while Yeni Akit wrote that 'the West is behind the recent sedition in Iran, and if successful, Turkey will be its next target.' On the same day, Syria expressed its solidarity with the Iranian government against street protesters in Iranian cities. The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement similar to those of Iranian officials, accusing the United States and Israel of destabilizing the region without providing evidence or documentation, and criticized them for supporting Iranian protesters. The Syrian Foreign Ministry stated that 'Iran's sovereignty must be respected, and no one should interfere in Iran's internal affairs.' The statement indicated that 'Syria is confident that the leadership, government, and people of Iran will be able to thwart this conspiracy.' Syria is Iran's closest ally in the Arab world, and its government has received significant financial and military assistance from the Islamic Republic in countering its own internal protests. Russia also rejected foreign interference in the matter on Monday, January 1, describing the protests in Iran as 'an internal affair.' In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry referred to the nationwide protests in Iran, stating, 'We hope the situation does not end in bloodshed and violence.' The statement also described what it called 'foreign interference aimed at destabilizing conditions in Iran' as 'unacceptable.' Meanwhile, the President of the United States and several other senior American politicians have supported the right of protesters to express their dissent. Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary, also tweeted: 'We are saddened by the loss of life during the protests in Iran and urge all involved to refrain from violence and adhere to international commitments regarding human rights.' In response to the recent protests in Iran, Sigmar Gabriel, the German Foreign Minister, also called on Iranian officials and protesters to exercise 'restraint' and avoid violence. In related news, the Tehran governor's office reported the arrest of 450 people in the past three days in Tehran. A U.S. State Department official indicated the possibility of sanctions against individuals and entities involved in suppressing Iranian protesters. Ali Shamkhani's remarks regarding the protests in Iran and a 'warning to Saudi Arabia' were also noted. The British Foreign Secretary's response to the deaths of protesters in Iran was highlighted, along with support from several Iranian artists for the 'right' to peaceful protests.