Iranian Foreign Minister on attacks on mosques: External actors are trying to destabilize the country
Internet
Published at: 12/01/2026 10:05 PM
The Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, said on Monday, January 12, that Tehran has “evidence” that external actors are trying to destabilize the country by taking advantage of the protests that began at the end of December, and said that it is striking that dozens of mosques have been burned down.
During his speech, reported on the Russia Today website, the foreign minister said that the mobilizations of merchants began in a “quiet and legitimate” way, but that later led to violence.
He added that the security forces acted with restraint and that the country's Government opened channels of conversation with the sectors involved to hear their demands.
He also asserted that the authorities have indications that weapons were distributed to some demonstrators and that security forces were shot “to increase the number of victims”, and that most of the dead had gunshot wounds in the back, implying that they did not die from security forces fire.
Araghchi also accused armed groups of deliberately attacking ambulances, killing those injured inside them and setting fire to mosques and government buildings: “And, above all, they strangely attacked mosques. And this is really surprising. No Iranian could dare to set fire to a place of worship. 350 mosques were set on fire,” he said.
He added that even shots were fired at the wounded: “Even the injured, these operations ended their lives. On one occasion, 11 injured people were on their way to the hospital and yet they were shot with live ammunition. It turned out that those injured people were killed by those terrorist operatives,” he said.
He also stressed that what is happening now “are no longer demonstrations, but a terrorist war against the country.”
He also criticized US President Donald Trump's statements about the protests, considering them an interference in Iran's internal affairs.
However, he stressed that communication channels are still open with the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and with a Swiss intermediary, reiterating that Tehran is willing to defend itself if necessary, but also to continue exploring diplomatic channels to reduce tensions.