TEHRAN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the recent unrest and "bitter events" in his country were part of a joint U.S.-Israeli initiative aimed at exploiting the challenging conditions faced by the Iranian people.

People shop at a supermarket in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 16, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

In a Sunday meeting with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in the Iranian capital, he elaborated on the recent economic protests in his country that were gradually turned violent by individuals designated by Iran as "U.S. and Israeli-affiliated terrorists and rioters," according to a statement published on the website of his office.

Pezeshkian slammed the United States and Israel for their "destabilizing and destructive" role in West Asia, accusing them of seeking to sow division among Muslim countries.

He emphasized that despite extensive political, economic, and media pressure aimed at undermining security and stability in Iran and the region, Iran's domestic approach has focused on "maintaining the unity and solidarity among all parties, ethnicities and religions."

The Iranian president added that his country's approach towards the Islamic and neighboring states has been centered on promoting development and improving relations in all areas "through removing the walls of distrust and difference."

He also called for greater unity among the Muslim world to prevent foreign powers from threatening Islamic states.

The "deep emotional and heartfelt" bonds between the Iranian and Iraqi nations constitute the root and foundation of the two countries' long-standing relations, Pezeshkian said, emphasizing that the "strong and historical" bilateral ties will continue.

Hussein noted that "Iraq and Iran have a deep history."

Iraqi officials constantly monitored the recent events in Iran with special sensitivity, he said, adding that Iraq considers Iran's security as that of its own and the entire region and will not accept any attempt to harm it.

Protests have erupted across several Iranian cities since late December, sparked by the sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping reforms to government subsidies. Initially peaceful, the protests gradually became violent, resulting in casualties and damage to public properties.