19.01.2026 21:40
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a statement regarding the protests in Iran after the cabinet meeting, said, "We believe that our Iranian brothers will hopefully leave behind this period filled with traps with a delicate policy that prioritizes dialogue and diplomacy." Erdoğan also stated, "We will continue to stand against any initiative that risks dragging our region into uncertainty with our foreign policy that centers on peace and stability."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a statement regarding the developments in Iran, saying, "We believe that our Iranian brothers will hopefully leave behind this period filled with traps."
President Erdoğan addressed the cameras after the cabinet meeting. In his speech, which included international developments, Erdoğan also spoke about the protests in Iran.
"OUR NEIGHBOR IRAN IS FACING A NEW CHALLENGE TARGETING SOCIAL PEACE"
Erdoğan stated, "In the Russia-Ukraine war, hundreds of thousands of people died on both sides. Many had to leave their homeland. Unfortunately, a roadmap that will increase hopes for peace has not yet been formed," and added, "Our neighbor Iran is now facing a new challenge targeting its social peace and stability after the Israeli attacks."
"WE BELIEVE THEY WILL LEAVE BEHIND THIS PERIOD FILLED WITH TRAPS"
Erdoğan also used the following expressions: "We believe that our Iranian brothers will hopefully leave behind this period filled with traps with a delicate policy that prioritizes dialogue and diplomacy. With our foreign policy centered on peace and stability, we will oppose any initiative that risks dragging our region into uncertainty. In our view, the solution address for every problem is a negotiation table based on mutual trust. I want it to be known that we are ready to do whatever is necessary to reduce tensions and invite all relevant parties to reason, dialogue, and diplomacy."
PROTESTS IN IRAN
On December 28, 2025, protests initiated by shopkeepers in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran due to the high depreciation of the local currency against foreign currencies and economic problems spread to many cities. Following the events that escalated during the protests in Tehran on January 8, the country's administration had blocked internet access. Recently, it has been reported that internet access has been partially and limitedly restored.
Although the protests in Iran have subsided, HRANA, based in Virginia, USA, continues to update the death and detention counts, claiming to have verified more cases. While Iranian officials have not yet made a statement regarding the total number of deaths or injuries during the protests, it was reported that 3,000 individuals, alleged to be affiliated with terrorist organizations or to have provoked the events, have been detained. Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated in a statement on January 17 that "individuals connected to Israel and the USA caused significant damage during the protests and killed several thousand people."