In a nationally televised address on Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian launched a sweeping condemnation of Western powers, accusing the United States, Israel, and European leaders of orchestrating and financing recent civil unrest that has shaken the Islamic Republic. The president asserted that these foreign entities had systematically exploited Iran’s domestic economic challenges to provoke division and destabilize the nation.
The protests, which erupted in late December as demonstrations against soaring inflation and a severe economic crisis, evolved into a widespread movement before being suppressed by Iranian authorities. According to President Pezeshkian, external actors provided both material resources and strategic direction to transform legitimate economic grievances into what he characterized as an attempted insurrection.
“These foreign powers deliberately sought to provoke internal conflict, create deep societal divisions, and supply substantial resources that drew certain innocent citizens into this destructive movement,” Pezeshkian stated during his live broadcast on state television.
The government’s response to the protests has drawn international condemnation, with conflicting reports emerging about the human cost. US-based human rights organization HRANA has documented at least 6,563 fatalities, including 6,170 protesters and 214 security personnel. Conversely, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi provided significantly different figures to CNN Turk, claiming 3,100 total deaths with 2,000 being security forces.
The president’s remarks represent the most comprehensive official narrative from Tehran regarding the recent turmoil, framing the events as primarily resulting from foreign interference rather than domestic dissatisfaction. This positioning aligns with Iran’s longstanding narrative of resisting Western influence while simultaneously acknowledging the economic pressures facing ordinary Iranians.