Tehran (Monitoring Desk): Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country is prepared for both war and negotiations, asserting that authorities have regained control over violent incidents instigated by foreign elements.
Addressing foreign diplomats, Araghchi explained that the initial protests in Iran were peaceful, prompting the government to consider legitimate demands and initiate economic reforms. However, by late December, the demonstrations weakened, and in early January, new participants and terrorist elements intervened, escalating the protests into violent and deadly clashes.
According to the Foreign Minister, some protesters were armed and fired upon both security forces and civilians, allegedly to create casualties and provide the U.S. a pretext for intervention. He further claimed that threats from U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged some elements to engage in violence.
Araghchi also alleged that ISIS and other terrorist groups killed security personnel, beheaded some, and burned others alive. Significant damage was reported to government and private property, including shops, hospitals, buses, and approximately 350 mosques. Injured individuals were targeted, and some were allegedly paid to attack police stations and other key locations.
