Iran`s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly condemned the US- and Israeli-backed deadly violence that has been waged by terrorist elements against Iranian civilians and security forces, asserting that no country tolerates such acts.

The top diplomat made the remarks in Tehran on Monday during a meeting with foreign diplomats based in the Iranian capital, detailing the Foreign Ministry`s assessment of the process, throughout which the elements have been trying to take advantage of economic protests in the country.

The official noted that the country began witnessing peaceful protests concerning various economic problems in late December, which prompted the government to directly engage representatives of different professions as well as heads of different chambers of commerce.

Araghchi defined such protest as legitimate and a right enjoyed by every Iranian national and enshrined inside the Constitution, noting how the negotiations resulted in the devising of certain remedial measures and reforms that caused the protests to subside.

This, however, was followed by some violent elements trying to instigate violence, he added, underlining that Iranian security forces met the situation with utmost restraint and tried to prevent violence.

Since January 8, though, "terrorist elements and armed groups" entered the fray, distributing firearms among protesters, the official noted.

He linked the latter development with Donald Trump`s earlier remarks claiming that Washington would interfere in the event of what the US president called the Islamic Republic`s confrontation with protesters.

‘US-inspired maximum casualty method, Israeli footprint`

Araghchi condemned Trump`s remarks as an instance of "outright interference in other countries` affairs," citing recordings of the riotous elements advising those receiving the arms to cause as many casualties among Iranian civilians and security personnel as possible, towards derailing protests.

He pointed out that the Islamic Republic was in possession of "numerous documents and instances of evidence indicating the US`s and the Israeli regime`s involvement in this terrorist trend," and also cited rife claims inside the media outlets of the regime itself as to ongoing efforts by Tel Aviv to design an operation inside the Islamic Republic.

Araghchi cited former CIA director Mike Pompeo as verifying earlier this month in a post on X that agents enlisted by the regime`s Mossad spy agency were actively involved in the riots.

"This is an unequivocal admission that Mossad`s Persian-speaking operatives are active on Iran`s streets," the foreign minister said.

"We pursue this involvement and hold those contributing to the fatalities with their instigation responsible," he said, adding, "They should recognize their responsibility."

‘West shedding crocodile tears for terrorists`

The official expressed surprise at certain Western states` condemnation of the Iranian law enforcement instead of taking aim at the terrorists, saying these were the same states that closed their eyes on the Israeli regime`s slaughter of more than 70,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and stopped short of denouncing the regime`s and the United States` unprovoked war on the Islamic Republic in June.

"Now, they (the Western states) are shedding crocodile tears for terrorists."

Araghchi advised those states to rectify their erroneous stances by taking the actual developments on the ground into account, and underlined that more than 70 percent of the Iranian nation was in favor of due confrontation with the rioters, while only 30 percent considered the riots to be rooted in economic problems.

"We recognize the rights of every protester, but no country tolerates arson against public property, terrorism, and the directing of live fire against its civilians and armed forces."

Araghchi, meanwhile, noted that the Islamic Republic was approaching the 47th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying the sheer longevity of the Revolution testified to the course that the nation had traversed to retain its independence and esteem.

‘Riots a sequel to 12-day war`

The foreign minister said the riots were seeking to pick up where the aggressors left during the 12-day war, saying those trying to sow unrest were seeking to instigate unrest as a potential precursor to foreign military aggression.

Albeit, he added, the Iranian nation has successfully confronted this plot, and Iranian security forces were currently maintaining order across all cities nationwide.

‘Warning against miscalculation`

Araghchi cautioned adversaries against resorting to any repeated miscalculation concerning the Islamic Republic, asserting that the country was not seeking war, but was prepared for one.

The level of readiness, he asserted, was now even superior to the status of the nation`s preparedness throughout the war in June.

Tehran is equally prepared for negotiation, but not one that is based on dictation, Araghchi said, and underscored that any talks engaging the country should be characterized by fairness and take place on an equal footing.