Tehran [Iran], January 14, 2026, BNN Web Staff: Iran has approached the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the UN Secretary-General, alleging that recent remarks by former US President Donald Trump amount to incitement of violence and interference in Iran’s internal affairs, according to a letter circulated by Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN.
In the communication, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, conveyed serious concern over statements made by Trump encouraging protests within Iran.
Tehran contends that the comments were not merely rhetorical but appeared to endorse attempts to seize state institutions, which it views as a direct challenge to Iran’s sovereignty and national security.
The letter argues that such statements violate fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter, including the prohibition on the use or threat of force and the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign nations. Iran warned that such rhetoric risks fuelling instability and violence, with potential repercussions for regional and global peace.
Iran also described the remarks as part of what it called a sustained pattern of pressure from Washington, including repeated threats of military action in recent weeks.
It referred to earlier letters submitted to the United Nations in late December 2025 and early January 2026, which, according to Tehran, raised similar objections. Iranian officials maintain that sanctions, economic pressure and political messaging are being used to weaken the country from within.
Linking the issue to the aftermath of a short but intense conflict in June 2025, Iran claimed that renewed calls for unrest are aimed at destabilising the country internally, particularly by provoking confrontation between the state and younger citizens.
Tehran has urged the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council to clearly condemn any incitement to violence or threats of military action. It also appealed to all UN member states to refrain from statements or actions that could undermine Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence.
The letter further cautioned against what it termed possible miscalculations by the United States, warning that any military aggression would have serious consequences. Iran also held the US and Israel responsible for what it described as the human cost of destabilising policies, including civilian casualties.
Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, had earlier urged protesters in Iran to continue demonstrations, claiming that support would arrive soon, without providing details.
The remarks drew praise from some Iranian activists abroad. Journalist and activist Masih Alinejad publicly thanked Trump, calling for stronger international action against Iran’s leadership and urging global powers to take concrete steps to support protesters.
Meanwhile, a CBS News report cited sources suggesting that the crackdown on protests inside Iran may have resulted in far higher casualties than publicly acknowledged, with estimates ranging from 12,000 to as many as 20,000 deaths, according to the report.
