Iranian Official Claims Uprising Fueled by External Conspiracy
On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that the nationwide protests against his government were part of an “Israeli conspiracy,” involving terrorist tactics reminiscent of ISIS. He maintained that the regime had successfully countered these so-called “terrorists” after three days of intense conflict.
Araghchi stated, “These groups utilized Daesh-style terror methods, targeting police officers—shooting, burning, and beheading them while endangering civilians.” He made these comments during an interview with a Fox News correspondent. “Daesh” refers to the Islamic State, which amplifies the stakes of his claims.
“We were not confronting demonstrators; we were combating terrorists,” Araghchi further explained.
He went on to detail what he perceives as Israel’s malicious intent, alleging that the intention was to compel the Iranian government to kill thousands, aiming to pressure U.S. President Donald Trump into fulfilling his promises around protecting demonstrators.
Araghchi said, “They hoped to heighten the death toll because President Trump had indicated he would take action if there were killings. The goal was to draw the U.S. into a deeper conflict.” He emphasized that this was a targeted effort by Israel, stating they aimed at civilian casualties to escalate the situation.
Repeatedly, Araghchi claimed the violence had been contained, asserting the regime’s strong command over security. He warned that further unrest might stem from foreign entities looking to exacerbate Iran’s domestic struggles.
“I hope tensions do not escalate to a critical level, which could have severe repercussions,” he expressed.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), also echoed Araghchi’s sentiments. He pointed fingers at Israel and the U.S. for allegedly employing “Daesh-style mercenaries” to incite disorder.
“The Revolutionary Guards stand fully ready to respond decisively to any miscalculations from our adversaries and their domestic collaborators,” Pakpour asserted, framing the situation as a test of national resilience.
He vowed, “In unity and faith, guided by our leadership, we will thwart the plots of the White House and Israeli authorities against a ‘strong Iran.'”
Pakpour did not hold back in his criticism of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of fueling violence in Iran. He labeled Netanyahu as a “child killer” and referred to Trump with various derogatory terms.
Inevitably, Iranian officials face scrutiny. While they lay blame elsewhere, international organizations have concluded that most of the casualties attributed to the protests are civilians harmed by the regime, not from law enforcement. Estimates of fatalities have spiked, with numbers jumping from 2,400 to possibly over 20,000, a situation compounded by the regime’s internet blackout, making verification challenging.
The Associated Press reported that, following a week marked by violent crackdowns, the nationwide protests seemed to be subsiding. Authorities have indeed made attempts to disrupt internet access by seizing Starlink devices.
Witnesses in Tehran noted a significant change; no new signs of destruction were evident, and the heavy gunfire that had previously flooded the streets had quieted down, according to the Associated Press.
Furthermore, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs relayed information from Araghchi to their foreign minister, claiming that the current situation in Iran is stable.
