Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused U.S., Israeli, and European leaders of exploiting economic hardship to spark unrest and equip agitators to shatter national cohesion during recent protests.
The nationwide disturbances, ignited in late December 2026 by soaring inflation and living costs, persisted for two weeks until a harsh crackdown by religious authorities quelled them.
U.S.-based HRANA tallies 6,563 deaths, including 6,170 protesters and 214 security forces, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told CNN Turk the figure stood at 3,100, with 2,000 security personnel killed.
In a state TV address, Pezeshkian said the U.S., Israeli and European leaders tried to “provoke, create division, and supplied resources, drawing some innocent people into this movement.”
U.S. President Donald Trump backed the demonstrators, warning of action if killings continued, as officials review potential strikes. A U.S. Navy destroyer docked at Israel’s Eilat port, Ynet reported.
Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Europeans “rode on our problems, provoked, and were seeking—and still seek—to fragment society,” Pezeshkian stated. “They brought them into the streets and wanted, as they said, to tear this country apart, to sow conflict and hatred among the people and create division.” He added, “Everyone knows that the issue was not just a social protest.”
Turkey, UAE, and Saudi Arabia pursue diplomacy to prevent U.S.-Iran conflict. Washington demands missile curbs for nuclear talks, but Araqchi insisted in Turkey they would never be negotiated.
Tehran stands ready for talks or war, and regional cooperation. “Regime change is a complete fantasy. Some have fallen for this illusion,” Araqchi told CNN Turk. “Our system is so deeply rooted and so firmly established that the comings and goings of individuals make no difference.”