Russia's UN mission: Iran as 'color revolution'

At a United Nations Security Council meeting on January 15, 2026, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that the events in Iran represent a classic 'color revolution' scenario. He said that specially trained armed provocateurs are turning peaceful protests into riots, looting, and killings of police officers, security personnel, and civilians, including children. Nebenzya noted that external forces seeking regime change are behind these events and emphasized that the U.S. president openly called on demonstrators to seize Iranian government institutions.

Context

Since 2023, protests against economic policies and foreign sanctions have unfolded in Iran, accompanied by an intensification of government repression.