Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed to tackle the country’s growing economic hardships, saying his administration is “ready to listen” to public demands while calling on citizens to stop “rioters” and “terrorist elements” from causing disorder.
Speaking in a televised interview with state broadcaster IRIB on Sunday, Pezeshkian addressed the ongoing protests that were triggered after traders at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar shut down their businesses in response to the steep fall of the national currency, reports Al Jazeera.
The demonstrations have now continued for three consecutive weeks. The president accused Israel and the United States of attempting to inflame the situation, alleging foreign involvement in the unrest.
According to Pezeshkian, “the same people that struck this country” during Israel’s 12-day war in June were “trying to escalate these unrests with regard to the economic discussion”.
He further claimed that external forces were actively recruiting individuals to destabilise Iran. “They have trained some people inside and outside the country; they have bought in some terrorists from outside,” Pezeshkian said, alleging that these groups were responsible for attacking a bazaar in Rasht and setting “mosques on fire”.
Acknowledging the economic frustrations expressed by merchants and demonstrators, Pezeshkian said the government had taken their concerns seriously and would work to resolve them “by any means necessary”.
At the same time, he urged the public to distinguish between peaceful protesters and those engaging in violence. “Rioters are not protesting people. We hear the protesters and have made every effort to solve their problems,” he said.
What began as protests over economic hardship has since expanded into wider opposition to the government.
At least 544 people have died amid nationwide protests in Iran, activists reported on Sunday. The demonstrations began on 28 December following the collapse of the Iranian rial, which has fallen to over 1.4 million per US dollar, as the country grapples with economic challenges under international sanctions.
