Iran’s diplomatic moves, not calling for assistance or reaching out to its allies, seem to be intended to show that Tehran believes everything is going to turn out all right.

Iran has faced almost two weeks of protests. Reports indicate that hundreds of protesters may have been killed. However, Tehran has sought to cut off all news about the unrest by shutting down the internet and suppressing information. Iran’s regime does not want to be viewed as being at a tipping point. At the same time, Tehran continues to do outreach abroad and hold meetings as if everything is normal at home.

For instance, even as the protests were growing in strength, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, went to Lebanon and met with Lebanese officials. Beirut is nonplussed with Iran’s meddling in Lebanon and by its support for Hezbollah. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun also met with Araghchi and spoke about “non-interference.”

He said, “Lebanon is ready to strengthen economic and trade relations and is keen to establish the best possible relations with Iran within a framework of mutual respect and non-interference in the affairs of both countries.” In response, Araghchi emphasized that “Iran supports Lebanon’s independence, unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and the visit is part of efforts to enhance and develop bilateral relations.”

Iran-Lebanon ties have been fraught with tension over the last year. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has been critical of Iran’s role. This has ruffled feathers in Tehran. Iran previously felt it had a kind of stranglehold over Lebanon via Hezbollah. However, these days it is Israel that has freedom of action in Lebanon. Iran also can’t traffic weapons via Syria as it used to.

Araghchi also met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi in Tehran and warned other countries against “tampering [with] Iran’s internal affairs.” His warning appears to be related to statements made by the US but may also be directed at Israel. The Iranian diplomat “reaffirmed Iran’s position that internal matters of sovereign nations should be decided solely by their own people and called for an end to external interference,” Iranian state media reported on Saturday, according to reports.

He said “No country has the right to meddle in the internal affairs of others,” adding that regional conflicts, including the situation in Yemen, must be resolved through dialogue among local actors rather than outside influence, a report noted. Araghchi has also condemned Israel’s “plots,” which he says are designed to “fragment” countries.

Tehran trying not to panic

Iran’s diplomatic moves are designed to show that Tehran believes everything is going to turn out all right. Iran is not calling for assistance or reaching out to its allies, Russia or China, as it is trying to show that the regime is not panicking.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, is one of the few officials lashing out as Iran faces protests. He says that “Iran will confront the fabricated terrorist war” and that any external aggression against Iran “will put US bases and occupied territories within our firing range,” according to the pro-Iran Al Mayadeen media on January 11.

One country that is very concerned about protests in Iran is Turkey. If the Iranian authoritarian theocratic regime falls, Ankara fears that people in Turkey may also protest. The media in Turkey tends to take the side of the Iranian government's narrative.

“At least six security members were killed, and dozens of protesters were detained as anti-government protests continued to roil Iran, fueled by worsening economic conditions, local media reported on Sunday,” Anadolu in Turkey said. Iran’s Press TV said Iranian security forces have arrested 200 protest leaders.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Iran’s “enemies are seeking to sow chaos and instability” and that the country will address economic problems amid the protests.