Iran’s President Apologizes for Protest Violence Without Citing Security Forces

Overview

• Pezeshkian delivered the apology during ceremonies marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran and appealed for national unity.
• He did not acknowledge the role of security forces, including the Revolutionary Guard, in reported arrests, beatings and deaths.
• Death estimates vary widely, with HRANA citing more than 6,000 killed and some local tallies claiming up to 30,000, and authorities have released no consolidated official count.
• U.S.–Iran engagement has moved to indirect nuclear talks in Oman after Washington earlier weighed but did not pursue military action, and Iranian officials say successful talks could later broaden.
• Iran’s ambassador in Brazil recognized the protests’ initial legitimacy yet blamed the violence on U.S. and Israeli interference, even as the unrest grew from a severe economic crisis.