Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has lashed out at foreign powers, specifically US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of fueling tensions during recent protests in the country.
According to Pezeshkian, these leaders took advantage of Iran's problems and "provoked" society by bringing innocent people into the streets and inciting violence. The Iranian president emphasized that in any normal protest, people do not resort to such extreme measures as killing military personnel or setting fire to ambulances and markets.
Pezeshkian also claimed that foreign powers, particularly the US, sought to divide Iranian society and took advantage of the country's problems. He urged calm and said Iran is ready to engage in talks with the international community, but only if such negotiations are conducted fairly and equitably.
Meanwhile, the US has announced sanctions against several high-ranking officials in Iran, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, over their alleged roles in the crackdown on protesters. The US has also warned a naval strike group that it is "ready, willing, and able" to launch a military strike on Iran if necessary.
The tensions have been escalating since last month's deadly protest crackdown, which killed thousands of people, with estimates suggesting the toll could be far higher. Iranian authorities acknowledge most of those who died were security forces or bystanders killed by protesters, but rights groups say this is likely an underestimation.
According to Pezeshkian, these leaders took advantage of Iran's problems and "provoked" society by bringing innocent people into the streets and inciting violence. The Iranian president emphasized that in any normal protest, people do not resort to such extreme measures as killing military personnel or setting fire to ambulances and markets.
Pezeshkian also claimed that foreign powers, particularly the US, sought to divide Iranian society and took advantage of the country's problems. He urged calm and said Iran is ready to engage in talks with the international community, but only if such negotiations are conducted fairly and equitably.
Meanwhile, the US has announced sanctions against several high-ranking officials in Iran, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, over their alleged roles in the crackdown on protesters. The US has also warned a naval strike group that it is "ready, willing, and able" to launch a military strike on Iran if necessary.
The tensions have been escalating since last month's deadly protest crackdown, which killed thousands of people, with estimates suggesting the toll could be far higher. Iranian authorities acknowledge most of those who died were security forces or bystanders killed by protesters, but rights groups say this is likely an underestimation.
. It's like we're living in a never-ending loop, and it's so frustrating. The US and Israel are always poking their noses into Iran's business, making things worse for them. I feel bad for the Iranian people, they're just trying to make ends meet and express themselves. Those protests were supposed to be peaceful, but those powerful leaders got in the way and now thousands are dead 
. Can't we all just talk it out? It's always about the sanctions and the military threats, but what about a real dialogue? 
The US is being super aggressive right now, announcing sanctions and warning of naval strikes... it's like they're itching for a fight 
. I hope Iran can find a way to calm things down and get back on track, we don't want this to escalate further 
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So Iran's President is going to lecture everyone else on how to handle protests? Like, what a great angle. It's not like they're the ones who have been cracking down on innocent people and then blaming the protesters for inciting violence... 
Anyway, it's all just a big game of 'Who's the Real Villain Here?' but honestly, can we please focus on finding solutions to these issues rather than trying to deflect blame? And btw, US sanctions are one thing, but threatening a naval strike group is just crazy talk 
. It's like, chill out, Iran, and let's try to have some real conversations about what's going on... 
I'm tellin' ya, something's not right here... like Iran's protesting and they're gettin' all these sanctions from the US? That don't add up. It's like they're tryin' to create a diversion while doin' somethin' else... maybe distractin' us from their own problems? 
It's like they're trying to hurt innocent people who are just trying to stand up for what they believe in.
. Can't we all just talk things out instead of resorting to violence and threats? 
. If the US really wanted to stir up trouble, wouldn't they be doing more than just announcing sanctions? 
And what about the fact that Iranian authorities are trying to downplay the actual number of deaths by protesters? 
. I'm skeptical of Pezeshkian's sudden willingness to talk to the international community too – what's in it for him? 
so these leaders are just gonna keep fueling the fire and expecting everyone to calm down? like, didn't they think that'd be a bit too much for Iran right now? and honestly, who gets blamed when protests get out of hand? 
This just fuels more hatred and mistrust. Can't they see that their actions are only making things worse?
i mean think about it, there was already some problems in iran before these protests started and isnt it possible that the people just wanted to make their voices heard? 
whats really going on here? 
sanctions and threats of military action arent exactly gonna make things better, you know? 
how do you even have a peaceful dialogue when youre just gonna bomb ppl over there? 
... and sanctions? that's not gonna help anyone... think they're just gonna make things worse... 
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. We should be pushing for justice and accountability, not just more meetings 
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Now it's like, they're trying to play the victim and blaming the whole world for their problems...like a broken record 