Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that U.S., Israeli and European leaders have exploited Iran’s economic problems, stoked unrest and provided the people with the means to “tear the country apart” in recent protests.
Two weeks of nationwide protests that began in late December over an economic crisis marked by soaring inflation and rising costs of living subsided after a bloody crackdown by clerical authorities. At least 6,563 people were killed, including 6,170 demonstrators and 214 security forces, according to US-based rights group HRANA.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi told CNN Turkey that 3,100 people were killed, including 2,000 security forces.
Speaking live on state television, Pezeshkian said the leaders of the United States, Israel and Europe “tried to provoke, to create division, to provide resources and to recruit some innocent people into this movement.”
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for the protesters and said the US is prepared to take action if Iran continues to kill protesters. U.S. officials said Friday that President Trump is considering his options but has not decided whether to attack Iran.
Israel’s Y-Net news website reported on Friday that a US Navy destroyer had entered the Israeli port of Eilat.
Mr. Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Europeans “have tried and are trying to take advantage of our problems, provoke us, and divide our society,” Mr. Pezeshkian said.
“They wanted to take them out into the streets and, as they said, tear this country apart, sow strife and hatred and create division among the people,” Pezeshkian said.
“Everyone knows this issue is not just a social protest,” he added.
Regional allies including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are continuing diplomatic efforts to prevent a military conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The United States has called on Iran to curb its missile program if the two countries resume talks, but Iran has rejected the request.
Foreign Minister Arakci said in Turkey on Tuesday that missiles would not be the subject of any negotiations.
In response to the U.S. threat of military action, Arakchi said the Iranian government is ready for negotiation or war and is ready to engage with regional countries to promote stability and peace.
“Government change is a complete illusion. Some people have fallen into this illusion,” Arakçi told CNN Türkiye. “Our system is so deeply ingrained and so well established that individuals coming and going makes no difference.”
