Iran Investigates Foreign Intelligence Involvement in Massive Demonstration

JAKARTA - Iran is investigating the involvement of foreign intelligence agencies, in addition to the Israeli Secret Intelligence Service (Mossad), in the recent widespread riots in the country.

"Dozens of people who have direct contact with Mossad have been arrested. We are investigating the extent to which other foreign intelligence agencies are behind Mossad-backed and foreign intelligence terrorist operations inside Iran," an Iranian official told reporters as reported by Sputnik, Saturday, January 24.

"(The riots) were foreign-backed intelligence operations," said the senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

On Monday, the head of Iranian security Ahmad Reza Radan stated that the security situation in a number of cities had returned to control after a wave of riots. He also emphasized that law enforcement would continue to act to arrest those involved in criminal acts during the protests.

Protests erupted in Iran in late December 2025 amid concerns about rising inflation triggered by the weakening of the local currency, the Iranian rial.

In several cities, the protests turned into clashes with police as demonstrators chanted slogans criticizing the government. There were reports of casualties among security forces and demonstrators. Iranian authorities said last week that the situation had been brought under control.