TEHRAN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday the positions adopted by some European states over the past few days on Iran's recent unrest are in no way acceptable and justifiable.
Speaking to reporters at a weekly press conference, he elaborated on the ministry's assessment of some European countries' hostile positions -- especially at a Thursday UN Security Council meeting -- towards Iran, which he said were adopted while turning a blind eye to the realities on the ground.
"The European sides know very well what took place (in Iran) between Jan. 8 and 10, during which Iranians' peaceful protests turned violent following the entry of terrorist individuals and those seeking to incite violence who had been trained and equipped abroad," he said.
"Although they (the Europeans) were aware of this fact, they started to heavily sour the atmosphere against Iran at the Security Council meeting and through using their media," Baghaei noted.
He said that such an approach would undermine Europe's credibility as a player capable of having a constructive role in international developments.
Europe is undermining its ability to be an effective player in international affairs by blindly obeying the United States and Israel, he added.
Baghaei further said Washington is responsible for the escalation of tension between Iran and the United States, and causing tension has become part of the U.S. modus operandi.
Protests erupted since late December 2025 in several Iranian cities due to the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial. Authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations, expressing readiness to address economic grievances, while also warning against violence, vandalism and further unrest.
Initially peaceful, the protests gradually became violent, leading to casualties and damage to public property, mosques, government buildings and banks -- especially on Jan. 8 and 9. Iranian authorities have blamed the United States and Israel for the unrest.
At the Security Council's recent meeting, the representatives of a number of European countries, including Britain, France and Denmark, accused the Iranian government of resorting to violence against protestors and violating human rights. ■
