U.S., Israeli and European leaders exploited Iran’s economic problems and encouraged unrest during recent nationwide protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday (31 January).
The demonstrations broke out in late December over soaring inflation and rising living costs and spread across multiple cities.
“Recent experience has shown that sworn enemies, including the Zionist regime and its Western backers, are constantly trying to provoke, sow discord and divide Iran,” Pezeshkian said.
"By exploiting social demands, they attempted to turn protests into a civil war,” he said, adding that authorities must listen to peaceful protesters and address their real concerns.
“We are obliged to reassess our behavior and actions toward the people in order to deprive ill-wishers of any excuse to turn protests into hatred and incitement,” the Iranian President concluded.
The protests lasted around two weeks before being suppressed by security forces in a crackdown that rights groups say left at least 6,563 people dead, including 6,170 protesters and 214 members of the security forces, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CNN Türk that 3,100 people, including 2,000 security personnel, had been killed.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced support for the demonstrators and warned that the U.S. was prepared to act if Iran continued to kill protesters.
U.S. officials said on Friday that Trump was reviewing options but had not decided on any military action.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Ynet news reported that a U.S. Navy destroyer docked at the Israeli port of Eilat on Friday.
Regional powers, including Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been engaging in diplomatic efforts to prevent a confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
The U.S. has demanded that Iran curb its missile programme as a condition for resuming talks, but Araghchi said missiles would never be subject to negotiation.
He added that Tehran was prepared for either diplomacy or warfare and was also ready to engage with regional countries to promote stability.
“Regime change is a complete fantasy,” Araghchi said, adding that “some have fallen for this illusion”.
"Our system is so deeply rooted and so firmly established that the comings and goings of individuals make no difference," he concluded.
Power was fully or partly cut across the Russian-held part of Ukraine’s Kherson region early on Friday (26 June), according to the Moscow-installed ...
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has warned Ukraine not to try to draw his country into the war, saying any such move would change the confli...
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near...
Another busy day is underway at the FIFA World Cup as Ivory Coast reached the knockout stage for the first time. Ecuador pulled off a shock win over G...
Manhattan prosecutors have moved to drop a third-degree rape charge against movie producer Harvey Weinstein after his accuser said she no longer wishe...
Power was fully or partly cut across the Russian-held part of Ukraine’s Kherson region early on Friday (26 June), according to the Moscow-installed governor Vladimir Saldo.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has warned Ukraine not to try to draw his country into the war, saying any such move would change the conflict "instantly".
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
Another busy day is underway at the FIFA World Cup as Ivory Coast reached the knockout stage for the first time. Ecuador pulled off a shock win over Germany, the Netherlands topped Group F, and Japan and Sweden both booked their places in the Round of 32.
Russia has called for clarification on whether U.S. President Donald Trump has changed his position on the war in Ukraine following remarks made at the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
As diplomacy helps ease tensions in the Middle East, Pakistan and Iran are seeking to turn that momentum into closer security cooperation along one of South Asia's most sensitive borders.
Mohammed Aydah, a correspondent for Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya, was killed after a bomb attached to his car exploded in eastern Yemen, the network said on Thursday.
A Taliban ban on smartphones for civil servants has raised fresh concerns over access to information in Afghanistan, with rights groups warning it could further isolate government employees and tighten the authorities' control over public life.
Russia is in talks with Kazakhstan over possible petrol imports after refinery disruptions tightened domestic fuel supplies, four industry sources told Reuters.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment