Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the traders’ protests, which began on December 28, were calm and legitimate under the constitution, noting that the government immediately launched talks with the concerned parties and listened to the protesters’ demands.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at a press conference, Araghchi said the subsequent phase of the protests turned violent, stressing that security forces dealt with the situation calmly. He added that armed terrorist groups were detected infiltrating the ranks of the demonstrators with the aim of diverting the marches from their original course.
He confirmed that the authorities have evidence that security forces came under gunfire intended to increase the number of casualties, explaining that recordings of voice messages sent to terrorists were obtained, ordering them to open fire on civilians and security personnel.
Araghchi noted that most of those killed during the demonstrations were shot from behind, adding that terrorist elements also targeted government buildings, police headquarters, and commercial shops.
He said the authorities possess images showing weapons being distributed to protesters, stressing that what is taking place now is not demonstrations but a terrorist war against the country.
The Iranian foreign minister also criticized statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the protests, describing them as interference in Iran’s internal affairs.
