Ghalibaf: Recent Unrest Was an Organized Terrorist War Backed by the U.S.
WANA (Jan 19) – Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, described the recent unrest as an “organized, ISIS-style terrorist war,” accusing the United States—and the American president personally—of being the main instigator behind the events. He said the aim of these operations was to spread public fear, dismantle social order, and weaken Iran’s national sovereignty.
Speaking on Monday during an open session of parliament, Ghalibaf said: “What happened on Thursday and Friday was not merely protest or sporadic unrest. It was a premeditated terrorist war, modeled on terrorist operations seen elsewhere in the region, including incidents such as the pager attacks in Lebanon.”
Referring to recent remarks by the Leader of the Islamic Republic, he added: “With a precise and compassionate perspective, the Leader explained the dimensions of the recent sedition and clarified the path forward for both the people and officials. This sedition was a continuation of the same 12-day war that was ignited through the direct involvement of the U.S. president.”
Ghalibaf claimed that the U.S. president abandoned diplomatic considerations, first issuing orders aimed at “manufacturing deaths,” and later—when signs of failure became evident—openly supporting violent protesters and rioters.
According to him, the spread of false reports, including claims about the fall of certain cities, was part of efforts to prolong insecurity and instability in Iran.
The speaker of parliament stressed that “each of these actions could be considered a clear crime in any fair international court.” He added that the planned scenario involved “organized violence, armed attacks, urban warfare, and the mass killing of citizens and security forces,” intended to create psychological shock and paralyze society’s decision-making capacity.
Iranian people attend a pro government rally in Tehran, Iran, January 12, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Raising the question of how Iran managed to restore stability so quickly, Ghalibaf said few countries could maintain public security after suddenly facing such organized terrorism—especially when backed by the U.S. president.
He said the answer lay in two key factors: “wise leadership and the practical support of the people.”
Ghalibaf described the leadership’s role as decisive, saying clear and firm positions drew a line between protest and riot and prevented disruption to the country’s decision-making system. He also cited cooperation among law enforcement forces, the Basij, and the IRGC as “a clear example of the bond between the people and the state.”
He further said the large turnout at the January 11 (22 Dey) rally marked the failure of the destabilization project, noting that, in the Leader’s words, it was comparable in significance to February 11 (22 Bahman), the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
In closing, Ghalibaf said recent events showed that Iran, with its level of national cohesion and leadership, has become “the most unsafe place in the world for terrorists and foreign-backed networks,” adding that this reality has led to confusion and contradictory reactions among U.S. officials.
Iran’s Supreme Leader: “We Consider the U.S. President a Criminal”
WANA (Jan 17) – Iran’s Supreme Leader stated that, “We consider the President of the United States a criminal, for the casualties, damages and the grave accusation he leveled against the Iranian nation.” Addressing the crowd, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei elaborated on what he described as the dimensions of the recent “sedition” and the position […]
