Iranian President Blames Trump, Netanyahu, and EU for Fueling Protests

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said foreign leaders including Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu and European states fueled recent protests claiming outside interference deepened divisions and turned demonstrations into unrest

In a recent televised address, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused foreign powers of exacerbating the unrest during protests that have swept across the country. Pezeshkian specifically pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and various European countries as responsible for stirring tensions within Iranian society, which he claims led to widespread protests. He argued that foreign leaders have actively fueled divisions, thus provoking the protests and inciting violence.

Foreign Powers' Role in the Protests

President Pezeshkian suggested that foreign leaders, including Trump, Netanyahu, and European officials, played a key role in escalating the unrest by provoking citizens to participate in protests. He stated that these external actors encouraged demonstrators to engage in violent actions, which resulted in widespread chaos. According to Pezeshkian, this outside interference was meant to destabilize the country, create conflict, and foster hatred among the Iranian people. He accused these foreign governments of equipping innocent people and pushing them into the streets, ultimately inciting them to destroy the nation’s unity.

"They equipped and brought a number of innocent people along with this movement and poured them into the streets, inciting them to tear this country apart, create fights, and foster hatred between people," Pezeshkian declared, emphasizing the destructive impact of such interference.

The Nature of the Protests

Pezeshkian also addressed the nature of the protests themselves, emphasizing that legitimate protests do not involve violence. He argued that peaceful protests should not involve acts of violence, such as shootings, killings of military personnel, or the destruction of essential services. Instead, he called for engagement with protesters to understand their concerns and work toward peaceful solutions.

"We should sit with the protesters, listen to their words and concerns, and resolve them; we are ready to listen," Pezeshkian stated, signaling a willingness for dialogue and collaboration with the demonstrators.

Furthermore, he asserted that the protests were not entirely organic but rather were amplified by foreign interference. "The foreign powers took advantage of our problems, provoked us, and sought to divide our society," he added. This statement implied that external forces manipulated the situation to achieve their political goals, further deepening internal divisions within the country.

Death Toll and International Reactions

The protests, which erupted earlier in the month, have resulted in significant casualties. The Iranian government has acknowledged that over 3,000 individuals have lost their lives during the unrest. However, the authorities maintain that the majority of the deaths were among security forces or bystanders killed by rioters. Human rights organizations, however, contend that the actual death toll is much higher, estimating that tens of thousands may have been killed. This discrepancy has raised concerns about the extent of the violence used by the Iranian authorities.

In the international arena, the protests have garnered widespread attention. U.S. President Donald Trump has been vocal in his condemnation of the Iranian government’s response to the demonstrations. Trump has threatened military action against Iran and accused the Iranian authorities of violently suppressing the protests. In light of these tensions, the U.S. has deployed a naval strike group to the Middle East, signaling its readiness to intervene if necessary.

Diplomatic Tensions and Iran's Stance on Negotiations

Despite the escalating threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed Iran's willingness to engage in diplomatic negotiations. In a press conference on Friday, Araghchi emphasized that Iran is open to discussions with the United States but stressed that such talks must occur in an environment free from threats. "Iran has no problem with negotiations, but negotiations cannot take place under the shadow of threats," he stated, reiterating that any dialogue should be conducted on fair terms.

Araghchi also made it clear that Iran would not negotiate its defense capabilities. "I should also state unequivocally that Iran's defensive and missile capabilities and Iran's missiles will never be the subject of any negotiations," he affirmed, reinforcing the nation's firm stance on its defense policies.

U.S. Sanctions Against Iranian Officials

The ongoing unrest has led to further international sanctions against Iran. On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. Momeni oversees the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF), which has been accused of suppressing the protests and causing numerous deaths. The U.S. has labeled Momeni and the LEF as responsible for the violent crackdown against peaceful demonstrators.

In addition to Momeni, the U.S. imposed sanctions on several senior officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian businessman Babak Morteza Zanjani. Zanjani is accused of embezzling billions of dollars from the Iranian public. The sanctions also target digital currency exchanges connected to Zanjani, which are believed to have facilitated significant transactions tied to IRGC-linked entities.

Conclusion

The ongoing protests in Iran have sparked a complex political and social crisis, attracting both domestic and international attention. Iranian authorities continue to blame foreign interference for escalating the unrest, while human rights organizations remain concerned about the high death toll and the excessive use of force by security forces. Meanwhile, the diplomatic situation remains tense, with the U.S. threatening military intervention and imposing sanctions, while Iran advocates for negotiations under fair conditions. The future of the protests and the broader geopolitical dynamics surrounding them remain uncertain as the situation continues to unfold.

Sources:

• Iran president says Trump, Netanyahu, Europe stirred tensions in protests - Reuters
• Iranian President Accuses Israel, Western Allies of Fueling Unrest amid Rising Tensions - The Palestine Chronicle
• Iranian officials accuse U.S., Israel and Europe of exploiting domestic unrest amid protests - The Vibes
• Iran’s president says Trump, Netanyahu, EU stirred tensions during protests