Western countries and Israel wanted to destabilize Iran, president says

On Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States, Israel, and European countries of exploiting Iran's economic problems, inciting unrest, and supporting efforts to divide the country during the recent nationwide protests. The protests broke out in late December in response to sharp increases in prices and living costs and lasted for about two weeks.

According to Iranian authorities, the protests subsided after a crackdown by security forces. While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi said that approximately 3,100 people were killed, the human rights organization HRANA reports more than 6,500 casualties.

In a speech on state television, Pezeshkian claimed that foreign actors deliberately provoked divisions in society and drew innocent people into the protests. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for the demonstrators and hinted at the possibility of intervention if Iran continues its violence.

The tension is accompanied by military signals, including the presence of a US warship in Israel. Meanwhile, regional actors are trying to diplomatically prevent the conflict from escalating.

Iran, meanwhile, rejects the US demand to limit its missile program as a condition for resuming negotiations. According to Arakchi, Tehran is prepared to negotiate but also to face a possible war, describing regime change as an illusion.

(reuters, est)