TEHRAN – The spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and those injured in the recent tragic incidents in Bangladesh, which claimed numerous Muslim lives.

Nasser Kanaani underscored the robust and stable friendship between Iran and Bangladesh, affirming Iran's solidarity with the Muslim, friendly, and brotherly people of Bangladesh during these challenging times.

He expressed optimism that through the rule of law, unity, cohesion, and the wise leadership of Bangladesh’s elites, the country will soon achieve stability, peace, and tranquility.

Kanaani also highlighted the profound and historical ties between the peoples of Iran and Bangladesh, emphasizing that Iran will always be a steadfast and reliable friend to Bangladesh.

Unrest engulfed the South Asian nation last month following a High Court decision to reinstate a law reserving over 50% of well-paid civil service jobs for a specific class, including descendants of those who fought for the country's independence from Pakistan in the 1970s.

The protests against the government's job quota system have resulted in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and the detention of several opposition political figures.

Violent clashes broke out between anti- and pro-job reservation protesters, as well as with police. The protesters, primarily college and university students, were demanding that the government overturn the court ruling and maintain the existing merit-based employment system.

At least 366 people died and thousands of people were arrested as security forces sought to quell the unrest.

Weeks of deadly protests have forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country. She landed at Hindon Air Base in India and is set to fly to London next.

Millions of Bangladeshis flooded the streets of the capital Dhaka to celebrate Hasina’s resignation.

Shortly after the 76-year-old Hasina was forced to resign following 15 years in power, the army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the military would form an interim government and that a curfew would be lifted.

"The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed -- it is time to stop the violence," said Waker.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for calm and restraint by all sides.

Guterres stressed the importance of a "peaceful, orderly and democratic transition," UN deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said in a statement.