JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The South African government on Thursday said it is following developments in Iran "with concern" and called on all parties to exercise restraint.

According to a statement by the South African Presidency, the reports of unrest and the subsequent loss of life are "concerning", with all parties urged to exercise maximum restraint.

South Africa firmly believes that the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and freedom of association are universal human rights that must be upheld without exception, the statement added.

South Africa called on the Iranian authorities to ensure that citizens exercise their right to protest in peace, adding that sustainable peace and stability can only be achieved through solutions that center the agency of the Iranian people.

Protests erupted across Iran late last month following a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms, before escalating into nationwide unrest marked by clashes between police and demonstrators. ■