On January 15, 2026, Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh claimed in an interview with state media that there is a conspiracy of foreign powers (mainly America and Israel) behind the ongoing major protests in the country. He said that to make these protests violent, foreign intelligence agencies have provided money, weapons and logistical support. A suspect has been arrested, who was paid 900 million tomans (about US$6,500) to carry out murders and spread unrest.

What are the main claims of the Defense Minister?

• Foreign Conspiracy and Coordination: Iranian intelligence agencies have evidence that the US, Israel and some Western countries held joint meetings in the regional country, where plans were made to create unrest in Iran. In these meetings, programs for increasing the budget and for separatist or terrorist activities were decided.
• Fixed rates for violence: Money was earmarked for violent acts. 500 million tomans (about 3,500 US dollars) for murder of a person. 200 million tomans for burning a car. 80 million tomans for burning the police station and 15 million tomans for any small disruptive act.
• Attacks on religious and cultural sites: Burning of Quran, attacks on mosques and religious places show that these were not peaceful protests but had security and terrorist objectives. These are not protests related to looting or livelihood.
• Drug use and internal killings: Some terrorists were given industrial drugs (synthetic drugs) so that violence increased. In some cases, leaders showed the deaths of their own members by shooting them at close range, in order to arouse public anger. About 60% of deaths were caused by blows to the head, many by stabbing, strangulation or drug overdose.

Aziz Nasirzade said that paying so much money for murder clearly means inciting anger among the public by causing deaths and increasing unrest.

Iran government is calling the protests a foreign conspiracy

This statement comes amid major protests in Iran that began on December 28, 2025, which were triggered by inflation, the fall of the Rial and the economic crisis. But the government is calling it a foreign conspiracy and terrorist activity. State media and officials are repeatedly blaming America and Israel. Opposition and international reports claim that security forces have killed thousands of protesters, while Iran says the deaths are of terrorists and security forces. Internet blackout continues, leading to allegations of hiding the truth. US President Donald Trump has warned about the safety of protesters and talked about military action, but recently said that the killings have stopped.

The protests that started in Iran in December 2025 have now spread across the country. These demonstrations have reached more than 100 cities and have become the biggest challenge against the government of Iran. This is considered to be the biggest protest after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. This situation is very important for India because many of India’s strategic and economic interests are linked to Iran.

Why are there protests in Iran?

The demonstrations in Iran started mainly due to economic problems. People are angry with the huge fall of the Iranian currency (Rial), inflation, unemployment and rising prices of food items. It started from the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, where shopkeepers went on strike.

Soon these demonstrations became political and slogans started being raised against the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. There is a big participation of women and youth in this. There have been thousands of deaths and thousands of arrests so far due to the action of security forces. There is also an internet blackout, making it difficult to get information.

Why is Iran important for India?

India and Iran have strong strategic and trade relations…

• Chabahar Port: India has invested 500 million dollars (about Rs 4,000 crore) in this port. This port gives India access to Afghanistan, Central Asia, Russia and Europe by bypassing Pakistan. This is a major part of India’s ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy. The work of Chabahar-Zahedan railway line connected to Chabahar is going to be completed by mid-2026.
• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): Through Iran, goods reach India, Russia and Europe quickly and cheaply. This reduces time by 40% and expenses by 30%.
• Oil and trade: Despite US sanctions, India has been importing oil from Iran. Besides, goods like dry fruits and rice are exported. Iran is a big trading partner of India.

Apart from this, Iran is an important ally of India on forums like BRICS and SCO.

Can the protests benefit or harm India?

If instability in Iran leads to the formation of a new government that wants stronger ties with India, the Chabahar and INSTC projects could be expedited. Business may increase. But-

• Instability may delay the Chabahar project. The work of railway line and port may stop.
• There may be a global increase in oil prices, due to which oil will become expensive for India.
• US sanctions (CAATSA) may be activated again as before.
• China can get benefit because it is working on Gwadar port of Pakistan. It is just 170 km away from Chabahar.
• Export of Basmati rice from India to Iran has stopped, due to which exporters’ money may get stuck and farmers may be affected.
• Thousands of Indians (especially students) are stranded in Iran. The Government of India has issued a travel advisory and asked to keep in touch with the embassy.

What is the reaction of the Indian government on the situation in Iran?

The Indian government is keeping an eye on the situation in Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian citizens to stay away from the protest areas and stay in touch with the embassy. India has insisted on maintaining relations with Iran, but is currently adopting a ‘wait and watch’ policy.

Overall, these ongoing protests in Iran are challenging for India. Projects like Chabahar and INSTC are very important for India’s regional reach. If the situation becomes normal soon then it will be fine, otherwise there may be economic and strategic loss in the long run.

Preparations are on to hang 26-year-old youth Irfan Sultani in the first death sentence case related to protests in Iran. This incident has happened amid ongoing massive protests against the rule of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Irfan sentenced in two days

Irfan Sultani is from Fardis, a neighborhood near the city of Karaj, west of Tehran. He was arrested on January 8, 2026 for taking part in the ongoing protests in Karaj. According to human rights organizations and sources close to the family, his sentence was carried out very quickly. Within just two days of his arrest, the court sentenced him to death. He was not given a chance to meet any lawyer or face trial.

On January 11 (Monday), the family was told that the punishment would be executed by hanging today i.e. on January 14, 2026. The family was allowed to meet him only for 10 minutes, which is said to be the last meeting.

Accused of waging war against God

The charges against Irfan mainly relate to his participation in protests and some reports state that he has been accused of ‘waging war against God’, which is a crime punishable by death in Iran. The family says that Irfan was not a big political activist, but belonged to that part of the young generation who was angry with the current condition of the country.

Trump’s attack on Iran’s attitude

This case is important because it could be the first execution related to the current protests. Human rights organizations are calling this a very fast and non-transparent process, which is a violation of international laws. US President Donald Trump has also warned that if Iran does so, the US will take ‘very strong action’ and that help for the protesters is ‘on the way’.

Demonstration against the government across the country

These protests started on 28 December 2025 in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran against economic difficulties like inflation, decline of Iranian Rial and rising prices of essential commodities. Soon these spread across the country and big slogans started being raised against the government. This is considered to be the biggest protest movement in decades.

According to human rights organizations such as Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), Hengaw Organization and Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 2,500 people have been killed so far in the protests. Many reports put the figure above 2,000, which also includes children. Thousands of people have been arrested and internet and calling services have been almost shut down across the country.

Iran is currently going through a serious political and economic crisis. The protests that broke out across the country have posed a big challenge to the government. The situation has become so bad that internet and mobile services have been banned in Iran. This crisis is not limited to Iran only, but it can also affect countries like India, whose strategic and trade interests are deeply linked to Iran. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has announced that an additional 25 percent tariff will be imposed on any country that does any kind of trade with Iran. In such a situation, this news is a matter of concern for India, because India is a business partner of Iran.

Why is Iran so important for India?

Iran is a very important part of India’s foreign and trade policy. Iran plays the role of a major transit hub in the projects in which India has invested to strengthen its reach to Central Asia, Russia and Europe. Especially Chabahar port located on the south-eastern coast of Iran is very strategically important for India.

Chabahar Port gives India a direct trade route to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe, bypassing Pakistan. This port is also an important part of the International North-South Transport Corridor i.e. INSTC. Through this route, India saves about 40 percent time and about 30 percent cost in export-import. If instability increases in Iran and Chabahar port is affected, India’s geo-economic strategy may suffer a major setback.

What will be the impact on India-Iran trade?

According to government data, bilateral trade between India and Iran stood at around $1.68 billion in the financial year 2024-25. In this, India exported $1.24 billion to Iran, while $0.44 billion was imported. In this way India got a trade profit of about 0.80 billion dollars. The major goods sent from India to Iran include rice, tea, sugar, medicines, electric machinery and artificial fibres. India imports dry fruits, chemicals and glass products from Iran. If the crisis deepens and Chabahar Port or INSTC route is disrupted, India-Iran trade may be directly affected.

Why may India’s problems increase on the oil and gas front?

Iran is among the world’s largest oil and gas producing countries. If the impact of the Iran crisis reaches the Strait of Hormuz, global oil supply could be severely affected. About 20 percent of the world’s crude oil is supplied through this route. India imports more than 80 percent of its crude oil needs. In such a situation, India’s import bill will increase due to increase in oil prices. This will have a direct impact on transportation costs, freight and inflation for the common people. Inflationary pressure in the country may further increase due to increase in the prices of petrol and diesel.

Why is stability in Iran important for India?

The ongoing crisis in Iran is not just a problem of a neighboring country for India, but it is a matter directly related to India’s trade, energy and strategic security. Issues like Chabahar Port, INSTC Corridor and oil supply are related to India’s long-term economic plans. If the situation in Iran worsens, India will have to be prepared for its far-reaching effects.

Also read: Kill switch tool that stopped Elon Musk’s internet service in Iran, Khamenei regime jammed Starlink like this

Iran’s Army Chief Major General Amir Hatami has given a strict warning on 7 January 2026. He said that no foreign power can threaten Iran and if anyone attacks, its ‘hand will be cut off’.

Iran upset over Trump’s threat

This statement of Iran has come in response to the threat of US President Donald Trump. Trump had said that if protesters in Iran were subjected to violence or killed, America would come to their aid. Trump wrote in his Truth Social post, ‘If Iran shoots or violently kills peaceful protesters, America will come to save them. We are ready and loaded.

America threatened to kill Khamenei

American MP Lindsey Graham made an open threat to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a TV interview. He has asked Iran to immediately stop action against the protesters. Addressing Iran’s top religious leadership, Senator Graham said that if you keep killing people who are demanding a better life, Donald Trump will kill you. He further said that the leaders of Tehran should take Trump very seriously.

Nationwide demonstration against Iran government

A large number of protests have been taking place in Iran for the last several days. These protests started against inflation, the fall of the Rial (Iranian currency) and the economic crisis. The demonstrations started in Tehran and spread across the country. In one city, Fasa, protesters entered the governor’s office, set fire to it and threw stones. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian tried to calm the protesters and said that a plan to increase taxes would be considered. He said that the demand for change is justified.

Israel supported the demonstrations in Iran

Apart from this, America and Israel have supported these protests. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he is associated with the fight for freedom and justice of the Iranian people. He said that perhaps now the Iranian people are deciding their own future.

Iran more ready for war than ever

General Amir Hatami, speaking to students of Iran’s Army Command and Staff University, said, ‘The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the increasing threatening statements of the enemies as a threat and will not leave it without responding.’

He also said that Iran’s military is now more prepared than ever for a 12-day war with Israel in June 2025. If the enemy makes any mistake, the response will be even harsher.

Iran’s senior politician Ali Larijani (head of the Supreme National Security Council) wrote on X, ‘America should take care of the safety of its soldiers.’

Last year America and Israel attacked Iran

This tension has increased further after the joint US-Israeli attacks in June 2025, in which Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile capability were targeted. Iran considers this an attack on its sovereignty. This is a clear warning from Iran that it will not tolerate any external interference or threat. The situation still remains tense and rhetoric continues from both sides.