Iran’s Foreign Minister Claims Protests Turned Violent to Justify Possible Trump Intervention
Pro-government rallies were held across several cities, including a massive gathering in Tehran attended by thousands, among them the president
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has alleged that nationwide protests have “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for United States President Donald Trump to intervene militarily in the country.
Speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran on Monday, Araghchi said violence escalated over the weekend but claimed the “situation is now under total control”. He argued that Trump’s warnings of possible military action if protests turned violent encouraged “terrorists” to target both protesters and security forces in an attempt to invite foreign intervention. “We are ready for war but also for dialogue,” he said.
Araghchi further claimed Iran possesses footage showing weapons being distributed among protesters and said authorities would soon release confessions from detainees. The demonstrations, he added, were “stoked and fuelled” by foreign elements, warning that security forces would “hunt down” those responsible.
Iran’s protests have entered a third week amid a nationwide internet blackout and repeated threats of military intervention from Trump. The government has declared three days of national mourning for those it described as “martyrs” killed during the unrest, including members of the security forces.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that 109 security personnel have been killed. Authorities have not confirmed the number of demonstrators who have died, while opposition activists based outside Iran claim the toll is significantly higher and includes hundreds of protesters.
Initially triggered by anger over rising living costs, the demonstrations have evolved into nationwide protests and are being described as a serious challenge to the political system established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
The Fars news agency reported that limited protests took place in several neighbourhoods of Tehran on Sunday night. According to the agency, disturbances occurred in Navvab and Saadat Abad in the capital, Junqan and Hafshejan in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, and Taybad in Mashhad, but were dispersed by security forces. Other cities were reported to be largely calm overnight.
On Monday, Iranian media broadcast footage of pro-government rallies from various cities via messaging platforms, including a massive gathering in Tehran attended by thousands. State-run outlets aired footage showing President Masoud Pezeshkian participating in the rally, greeting flag-waving supporters while marching among them.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf described the government’s response as a “war against terrorists” while addressing the crowd in the capital. He said Iran is facing a “four-front war”, including economic, psychological, military pressure from the US and Israel, and what he termed a “war against terrorists”.
National internet blackout
A nationwide internet shutdown has entered its fourth day, according to monitoring groups, drawing criticism from human rights organisations. Connectivity watchdog NetBlocks described the situation as a “national internet blackout”, noting that it has been more than 84 hours since consistent connectivity was last recorded, although some users have found ways to bypass restrictions.
The blackout has sharply reduced the flow of protest videos on social media. Amnesty International criticised the shutdown, saying it was being used to conceal “violations in escalating deadly crackdowns on protesters”.
Araghchi said internet services would soon be restored, adding that the government is coordinating with security agencies to facilitate the process. He said connectivity would also return to embassies and government institutions.
According to an Iran analyst at Georgetown University in Qatar, the leadership is attempting to project control over the situation. He said Araghchi “doesn’t want to lose face” and described the government’s approach as multipronged.
A news channel correspondent reporting from Tehran said Araghchi’s remarks reflect a broader narrative repeatedly used by Iranian officials. The discourse, the correspondent explained, has three main elements: recognition of citizens’ right to peaceful protest over economic hardship; claims that unrest has turned violent, resulting in casualties among security forces; and growing concern over alleged foreign intervention.
‘Strong options’ under consideration
As protests continue despite security crackdowns, Trump said on Sunday that the US is considering “very strong options”, including possible military intervention. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said discussions were underway and claimed Iranian leaders had reached out to negotiate.
Earlier, Ghalibaf warned Washington against what he called a “miscalculation”, stating that any attack on Iran would make Israel, US bases, and naval assets legitimate targets.
Iran faced a 12-day conflict last year after Israel launched strikes in June and the US bombed three of Iran’s nuclear sites. That confrontation killed hundreds, including civilians, military commanders, and scientists, and Iran responded with ballistic missile attacks on Israel, killing 28 people.
Since the protests began, President Pezeshkian has pledged economic reforms. In a state television interview, he accused the US and Israel of attempting to “sow chaos and disorder” by orchestrating unrest and urged citizens to distance themselves from what he described as “rioters and terrorists”.
The protests represent one of the most serious challenges to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s rule in years, particularly following last year’s conflict. State television has aired images of burned buildings, including a mosque, as well as funerals for slain security personnel.
