Iran: Kazakhstan should not allow foreign agents to interfere
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Iran has divulged it is closely monitoring the developments in Kazakhstan and the escalation of protests.
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Protesters in Almaty, Kazakhstan (AP)
Tehran confirmed on Thursday that it was closely monitoring tensions and developments in Kazakhstan in light of recent protests and the declaring of a state of emergency by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh revealed in a statement that Iran is "closely monitoring" the current developments in Kazakhstan, adding that the stability and security of the nation are important to Iran and that the situation should not allow or prepare foreign agents to interfere.
Khatibzadeh said the government and people of "friendly, brotherly, and neighborly" Kazakhstan can resolve their problems to serve national interest peacefully and through dialogue without outside interference.
Confrontations resumed and spread to other regions in western Kazakhstan as protestors broke into the Mayor's office and gunshots were heard in the vicinity.
Tokayev addressed his country's unrest on Wednesday, promising a "strong" response to large protests over a New Year's energy price hike.
In a televised address, Tokayev said: “Almaty was attacked, destroyed, vandalized, the residents of Almaty became victims of attacks by terrorists, bandits, therefore it is our duty … to take all possible actions to protect our state."
The CSTO posted a statement on its website confirming the receipt of an appeal from Kazakhstan, confirming that the "CSTO Collective Security Council decided to deploy the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces to the Republic of Kazakhstan for a limited period in order to stabilize and normalize the situation in the country."
