Iran’s foreign minister says protesters set fire to 53 mosques, saying no Iranian would do that

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described the ongoing events in the country not as protests, but as a terrorist campaign against the nation. He stated that the situation is now fully under government control.

Araghchi reported that protesters have set fire to 53 mosques.

“No Iranian would do this,” the minister said, adding that between Jan․ 8-10, armed terrorists were among the protesters. Armed individuals opened fire on security forces, police, and civilians.

“Their goal was to increase the number of casualties during the protests, since Trump had said he would intervene if the death toll rose… We have recordings indicating that anyone could be shot, even ordinary people standing next to you,” Araghchi said.

He noted that demonstrations between Dec․ 28-30 were largely limited to merchants and economic activists. These protests were entirely peaceful and aimed at expressing opinions—actions that fall within people’s basic right to peaceful protest.

At the same time, pro-government rallies have begun in Iran. Thousands of residents in Tehran and other cities have taken to the streets to strongly condemn the anti-government protests.