Why it matters:
Iranian officials say the presence of armed groups marks a shift from unrest to organized terrorism, saying that the United States and Israel are backing efforts to destabilize the Islamic Republic through violence after failing via political and media pressure.
The big picture:
Araghchi was speaking during a foreign ministry briefing with ambassadors and foreign diplomats based in Tehran.
He said demonstrations between January 8 and January 10 were deliberately diverted from their original path through coordinated armed intervention.
According to Iranian authorities, the objective was to maximize casualties and provoke national chaos.
What he’s saying:
Abbas Araghchi:
“From January 8 onward, we faced a completely new and different situation. Terrorist elements and armed groups entered the scene.”
“Weapons were brought among demonstrators. Armed individuals were firing not only at police forces, but also at ordinary civilians.”
“Their goal was clear: to increase the number of deaths and push the country toward widespread chaos.”
“We have extensive evidence, including recorded audio, instructing operatives to shoot anyone they could, even civilians near them. These documents will be released gradually.”
Go deeper:
In recent days, Iran has witnessed a new wave of unrest involving armed terrorists and rioters. The United States and Israel support these groups.
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