Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed allegations of mass casualties amid recent protests in Iran, attributing earlier fatalities to an “Israeli plot” aimed at causing widespread devastation. This statement came during a lengthy interview on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier.” In this conversation, Araghchi was presented with an estimated death toll among protesters ranging from 2,500 to over 12,000, but Iranian officials contend the actual numbers are only in the hundreds.
Araghchi claimed that terrorist groups—acting under foreign influence—initiated the protests, which culminated in violence. He detailed incidents where police and security officers were targeted, alleging these attackers executed a coordinated operation reminiscent of Daesh tactics, including horrific acts such as burning and beheading officers. According to him, the conflict was not against demonstrators, but rather against these “terrorists.”
The minister went on to suggest that these rogue elements aimed to escalate the situation to draw the United States into the fray, essentially increasing the death toll to provoke a response from President Trump, who he said had indicated he would intervene if civilian deaths occurred. He described the entire scenario as part of an orchestrated conspiracy directed by Israel.
As Iran grapples with severe economic turmoil, unrest has surged since late December, with citizens regularly protesting against the government.
In contrast to Araghchi’s assertions, eyewitnesses have reported instances of Iranian security forces opening fire on unarmed protesters. Some accounts have suggested that snipers were specifically targeting civilians, as reported by unnamed witnesses.
During the interview, Araghchi also maintained that there were no immediate plans to execute protesters, attempting to convey a sense of control over the situation. Iranian officials have characterized the unrest as subsiding, with Araghchi stating, “We are in complete control.” He emphasized the hope that wisdom prevails to avoid escalating tensions that could lead to adverse outcomes for everyone involved.
