Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that recent nationwide demonstrations “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for US President Donald Trump to consider military action in the country.
Speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran on Monday, Araghchi said that while violence surged over the weekend, the “situation is now under total control.”
He added that Trump’s warnings about potential military action if protests escalated “should protests turn bloody motivated ‘terrorists’ to target protesters and security forces to invite foreign intervention. ‘We are ready for war but also for dialogue,’” he noted, reports Al Jazeera.
Araghchi also stated that Iranian authorities possess footage showing weapons being handed out to demonstrators and indicated that confessions from those detained will be released soon. Authorities are reportedly “closely following” developments on the streets.
He accused foreign actors of having “stoked and fuelled” the demonstrations, warning that security forces will “hunt down” those responsible.
The protests, now in their third week, have unfolded amid a nationwide internet blackout and repeated threats of US military action.
In response to the unrest, Iran’s government has declared three days of national mourning for the “martyrs” killed during the protest, including members of security forces.
