Iran: UN Calls for Maximum Restraint to Prevent Further Violence
The United Nations has urged all parties to exercise “maximum restraint” amid ongoing unrest in Iran, warning that further escalation could lead to additional loss of life and wider regional instability. The call was made on January 15 during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council convened at the request of the United States.
Briefing the Council, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee described the situation in Iran as “fluid and deeply concerning,” noting that protests were continuing, though at a smaller scale than in previous weeks. She expressed alarm over public statements suggesting possible military action against Iran, cautioning that external threats could further destabilize the situation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated that concerns related to Iran, including protests and the nuclear issue, should be addressed through diplomacy and dialogue. He urged all actors to refrain from actions that could intensify violence or trigger broader escalation.
The protests began on December 28 over economic grievances, including currency collapse and rising inflation, and evolved into the largest nationwide demonstrations since 2022. Iranian authorities have blamed violence on armed groups and accused foreign actors of interference, while civil society representatives and some UN officials have raised concerns about excessive use of force, mass detentions, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms.
