Iran Foreign Minister Attributes Protest Violence to Foreign Elements and ISIS, Citing US Threats

• Initial protests were peaceful, economic focus.
• Violence fueled by foreign terrorist elements.
• 350 mosques, hospitals were damaged nationwide.

According to Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, the initial wave of demonstrations that began in late December were initially peaceful and centered on legitimate economic demands, leading the government to initiate economic reforms. However, speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, Mr. Araghchi stated that the nature of the protests drastically shifted at the beginning of January when new individuals and terrorist elements intervened, transforming the movement into a violent and bloody confrontation, as reported by BBC Urdu.

Minister Araghchi accused certain demonstrators of being supplied with weapons, asserting that they fired upon both security personnel and ordinary citizens. He claimed the objective of these actions was to maximize casualties, thereby providing the United States with a pretext for intervention. He specifically pointed out that threats issued by US President Donald Trump during this period served to fuel the existing violence and incite certain elements to aggressive action.

The Foreign Minister detailed severe acts of violence, alleging that elements linked to ISIS and other terrorist organizations murdered security personnel, with some victims having their throats slit or being burned alive. Widespread damage to governmental and private property was also reported, including attacks on shops, hospitals, buses, and critically, 350 mosques. Individuals injured during the protests were allegedly targeted, and some were killed by gunfire. Mr. Araghchi further claimed that some people were recruited using large sums of money to carry out attacks on police stations and other critical targets.

In response, the Iranian government deployed security forces, successfully arresting terrorist elements and recovering weapons. Mr. Araghchi confirmed that soon, the confessional statements and crucial evidence gathered from those arrested would be presented to the public, ensuring strict action against all involved parties. He concluded that 70 percent of those involved in the violence were instigated by foreign elements, while the remaining 30 percent were peaceful protesters whose demands the government recognizes. He assured the diplomats that legal and judicial avenues remain open for these peaceful demonstrators. The Foreign Minister confirmed that security and stability have been secured across Iran, and internet services would soon be restored to allow government agencies and embassies to operate normally, thanking diplomats and citizens for their patience and resilience.