IRANIAN leaders have charged that U.S., Israeli, and European authorities exploited the country’s economic difficulties to incite unrest and sow division, following nationwide protests that erupted in late December over soaring inflation and rising living costs.
Reuters, on Saturday cited that, speaking on state television, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, “U.S., Israeli and European leaders tried to provoke, create division, and supplied resources, drawing some innocent people into this movement.
“They brought them into the streets and wanted, as they said, to tear this country apart, to sow conflict and hatred among the people and create division. Everyone knows that the issue was not just a social protest.”
The protests, which lasted for approximately two weeks, were met with a harsh crackdown by Iran’s clerical authorities.
U.S.-based rights group HRANA estimates that at least 6,563 people were killed, including 6,170 protesters and 214 security personnel, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reported 3,100 fatalities, including 2,000 members of the security forces.
Pezeshkian added, “Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Europeans rode on our problems, provoked, and were seeking — and still seek — to fragment society.”
He emphasised that the unrest had been more than a spontaneous social protest, portraying it instead as part of an orchestrated effort to destabilise the nation.
Amid heightened tensions, regional powers including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia have been pursuing diplomatic engagement to prevent a military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
The United States has insisted that Iran curb its missile programme as a precondition for resuming negotiations, a demand Tehran has firmly rejected.
Araqchi reiterated Iran’s position on the matter during an interview with CNN Turk, stating, “Missiles will never be the subject of any negotiations. Regime change is a complete fantasy. 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 added that Tehran is prepared for either negotiations or military conflict, while remaining open to dialogue with regional nations to promote stability and peace. - January 31, 2026
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