JAKARTA - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has apologized to the Iranian nation for the "existing shortcomings" in the country after the widespread protests in January, and he promised to continue reforms.
"As a person responsible for government, I apologize to the noble Iranian nation for the shortcomings that exist. We are making every effort to overcome all problems, and we will do so," the president said in a speech marking the 47th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, reported by ANTARA from RIA Novosti, Wednesday, February 11.
Iranian authorities "welcome the protests and consider it their duty to listen to them (the aspirations of the protesters)," he said.
"However, we are angry at the destruction, vandalism, murder, and arson. No Iranian will take up arms to kill other Iranians, no Iranian will burn a mosque," said Pezeshkian.
"No Iranian will ask a foreigner to enter the country. No free people will ask an enemy to come and solve internal problems," he added.
Previously, protests erupted in Iran in late December amid concerns about rising inflation triggered by the weakening of the local currency, the Iranian rial.
Meanwhile, in several cities, protests turned into clashes with police as demonstrators chanted slogans criticizing government policies.
Meanwhile, the death toll was reported to have occurred among security personnel and demonstrators.
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