Malala's support for anti-government protests in Iran, a storm of condemnation worldwide

The anti-government protests that began in Iran to protest the price hike of daily necessities and severe inflation have entered their 16th consecutive day. There are signs of a new turn in the country's political situation surrounding this long-running movement. On the one hand, the opposition movement is becoming somewhat dull, while on the other hand, the streets are becoming noisy with large rallies of pro-government figures. In the meantime, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai's public support for the movement has sparked discussion in the international arena, which has led to a storm of condemnation and criticism worldwide.

On Monday (January 12), a large rally in support of the government was held in the central Engelab Square of the Iranian capital Tehran. Participants in the rally condemned the recent violence, holding national flags, and called on the government to take swift and effective steps to resolve the economic crisis. Speakers at the rally said that attempts are being made to destabilize the country through foreign interference and violence, which will not be accepted under any circumstances.

In addition to Tehran, similar pro-government rallies have been held in several other cities in eastern Iran, including Kerman, Zahedan, and Birjand. Large crowds have been seen at these rallies. However, anti-government movements have not completely stopped in different parts of the country. It is reported that demonstrations and protest programs continue, albeit in isolated cases.

Iranian officials have accused the United States and Israel of supporting armed rioters and perpetrators of violence in Iran. They claim that these foreign-backed groups are trying to destabilize the situation by carrying out attacks and sabotage in different parts of the country. The government has also warned that such activities will be severely suppressed.

Meanwhile, Iran's Interior Ministry said that 273 weapons were seized while crossing the country in an international cargo truck and three people were arrested in this incident. In addition, a five-member terrorist group associated with a banned Kurdish group was arrested. Authorities also confirmed the arrest of 15 more people on charges of involvement in an opposition television channel operated from abroad.

It is worth noting that the ongoing protests began on December 28. Traders in Tehran's Grand Bazaar area first protested against the unprecedented devaluation of Iran's national currency, the rial, and the sudden increase in the prices of daily goods. Gradually, the movement turned into anti-government protests across the country. Currently, the dollar-rial exchange rate is about 145,000 rials per dollar, which has put ordinary people's lives in extreme crisis.

Although no complete statistics on casualties and arrests have been officially released, according to the US-based human rights organization HRANA, at least 544 people have been killed, more than 1,000 injured, and 10,681 people have been arrested so far. Concerns are growing in the international community over these data, and discussions and criticism about the current situation in Iran continue around the world.