Iran has warned against meddling by foreign countries in Kazakhstan, the scene of violent protests, saying that the Tehran is monitoring the ongoing developments carefully.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Thursday that Kazakhstan can resolve its issues at home peacefully and through dialogue and should not allow foreign meddling in the country.

He added that the stability and security of the “friendly and brotherly neighboring country” is very important for Tehran, noting that people of Kazakhstan should be wary of the attempts by foreign parties to exploit the unrest for their own interests.

Earlier on Thursday, Russia sent paratroopers into the country to quash the uprising following the deadly clashes that started after the government lifted a price cap on fuel.

A state of emergency has been declared in the country’s largest city Almaty, where police killed dozens of protesters who had set fire to a presidential residence and the mayor’s office in Almaty and stormed many other government offices.

According to state television, 13 members of the security forces have died, including two who were decapitated.

The unrest seems unprecedented for Kazakhstan that has been ruled since the Soviet era by its octogenarian leader Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has held its grasp over the country despite stepping down as president three years ago.