Pretoria: South Africa expressed its concern over the ongoing protests in Iran, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint. The South African Foreign Ministry emphasized that sustainable peace and stability can only be achieved through solutions that prioritize the agency of the Iranian people.

According to Anadolu Agency, South Africa called on Iranian authorities to ensure citizens' right to peaceful protest, responding to reports of unrest and fatalities. The ministry highlighted that South Africa views the rights to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and freedom of association as universal human rights that must be upheld without exception.

This statement from South Africa coincides with US President Donald Trump's repeated vows to support the protesters in Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have accused the US and Israel of backing what they term as riots and terrorism, amidst growing concerns of potential US military action against Iran.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based organization, estimates that at least 2,615 people, including both protesters and security personnel, have been killed. However, Iranian authorities have yet to release official figures on casualties or detainees.

The protests, which began on December 28 in Tehran, have grown into nationwide demonstrations against the government. Initially sparked by strikes and protests from shopkeepers and small business owners over economic grievances, the unrest has expanded to include a diverse array of participants such as workers and students across multiple cities.