Initially, the demonstrations were peaceful, primarily involving merchants and businessmen expressing their opinions, which is their natural right, and the government began a dialogue with them. By the third day, the demonstrations had virtually ceased, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“From January 8th to 10th, we observed the presence of armed terrorists among the protesters. Armed men opened fire on security forces, police, and civilians. Their goal was to increase the number of casualties during the protests, as Trump stated he would intervene if the death toll rose. We have a recording that says you can shoot anyone, even ordinary people next to you,” Araghchi said.
He added that protesters set fire to 53 mosques and that no Iranian would do anything like that.
“There is no third phase of the demonstrations.” “We are witnessing terrorist attacks,” the Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized.