Why it matters:
On January 8, a dozen rioters attacked the residence of the Palestinian Authority ambassador in Tehran. The attackers chanted slogans, threw Molotov cocktails, and forced their way into the residence. The ambassador, her family, and staff were forced to take shelter in the basement until Iranian security forces intervened, confronted the attackers, and evacuated those inside. Ambassador Salam al‑Zawawi and several embassy staff suffered from suffocation and injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Reports indicate extensive damage to the residence amid the wider unrest that day.
The big picture:
On January 8-9, terrorist armed elements supported by the U.S. and Israel launched a terrorist operation in several cities in Iran. Setting public property and killing security defenders and civilians, they attempted to raise the casualties, paving the way for a U.S. attack on Iran. According to Iranian officials, this terrorist operation led to 3,117 fatalities, of whom 2,427 are martyrs.
What she's saying:
The Palestinian Ambassador to Iran described the recent riots, saying, “The protests were initially completely peaceful, and demonstrators were walking normally in front of the embassy.” She added that the situation remained calm until January 8 and 9, 2026, Thursday and Friday, when events suddenly escalated.
She explained, “While I was engaged in my regular work, a fire suddenly broke out in the security parking lot of the building across from my residence.” The ambassador emphasized that the protesters “placed tires in trash bins, added tree leaves and broken branches to them, and then, by shooting and chanting slogans, attempted to attack my home.”
Go deeper:
Puerto Rican Professor: CIA Manuals Apply in Iran
New Visual Evidence Confirms U.S., Israeli Direct Role in Recent Unrest in Iran
F.abedi - A.Akbari
