FM holds US, ...
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He said such remarks were aimed at fueling violence and pushing fatalities up to pave the way for the US for interference.
“Those who contributed to the rise in the number of casualties with their statements and those who carried out terrorist operations, killing innocent people in Iran, must be held accountable,” Araghchi said.
The minister said terror groups hijacked the peaceful protests on January 8, that began by small businesses and guild members, in order to turn them into “social violence, bloodshed and mayhem” on the national level.
“Armed operatives shot at the police… and even at ordinary people to increase the number of casualties for which there is ample evidence.”
He noted that the goal was for there to be many casualties because US President Donald Trump had threatened that Washington would intervene if people got killed.
Araghchi denounced Trump’s remarks as “flagrant interference” in the internal affairs of another country.
The minster said the government had video tapes showing guns being distributed among protesters and recordings in which some encouraged to fire at the police from among crowds to kill policemen and even protesters.
“What only maters is that the number of casualties increases and more blood is shed,” Araghchi said, citing recordings.
Western ‘crocodile tears’
Elsewhere in his remarks, the top diplomat took a swipe at certain Western countries who refused to condemn the US-Israeli aggression on Iran in June or the Israeli “genocide” in the Gaza Strip but “now are shedding crocodile tears for terrorists inside Iran, or for protesters who have the right to express their dismay peacefully.”
Araghchi once again reiterated that the government “recognizes the right of anyone in Iran who protests” but noted that acts of violence including rioting, arson attacks, shooting at police and people would not be tolerated by any state.
He vowed to seek justice for those killed by terrorists.
“We will prosecute those who devised such terrorist operations in Iranian courts and international tribunals.”
The riots and protests peaked on Thursday night in many cities and towns which led to the killing of scores of people and security forces. But subsequent nights saw fewer crowds taking to streets, with only sporadic pockets of unrest happening nationwide.