Iranians rally in support of government as Tehran blames US and Israel for violence
Pro-government demonstrations swept across several Iranian cities on Monday as authorities sought to blunt more than two weeks of nationwide protests.
State media reported large rallies in multiple provinces, while Al Jazeera said "tens of thousands" gathered in Tehran. Officials also announced another mobilisation at Ngalabi Square, a frequent venue for state-backed gatherings.
Iranian leaders urged supporters to turn out, presenting the marches as a show of unity against what they describe as a foreign-driven destabilisation campaign.
Iran's foreign minister has accused the United States and Israel of fuelling violence in the ongoing unrest, which he described as a “terrorist war”.
Speaking on Monday, Abbas Araqchi said the situation was “under total control” after violence flared over the weekend.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
He claimed Tehran had evidence that “terrorists” were being armed and directed to open fire on protesters and security forces in order to increase the death toll.
“There are many documents indicating American and Israeli interference in the terrorist movement,” he said.
“Mossad agents are accompanying the protests, and their interventions are the reason for the violence and killings that occurred.”
He also said threats of military intervention by US President Donald Trump had motivated “terrorists” to target protesters and security forces in an effort to trigger foreign intervention.
His speech came hours after Trump told reporters that the US military was looking at "very strong options" in Iran.
"We're looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options. We'll make a determination," he said.
He also claimed that Iran's leadership had called Washington to "negotiate".
Araqchi said in his speech that Iran was "ready for war but also for dialogue".
At least 192 people have been killed in the largest protest against the Iranian government for over three years, according to Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based NGO.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency, 544 people have been killed during the demonstrations over the past 15 days.
'Tyrants of this world will be overthrown'
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appeared to respond to Trump’s threats in a social media post on Monday.
Writing in Persian, he said: “Let that fellow who sits there with arrogance and pride, judging the whole world, also know that the tyrants and the arrogant of this world, such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, Reza Shah, Mohammad Reza Shah and the like, were overthrown when they were at the height of their pride; he too will be overthrown.”
As political tensions rose, Iran entered its fourth day of near-total internet blackout. Internet monitor NetBlocks said the country remained in a “national internet blackout”, with only limited and unstable connectivity.
Araqchi said that internet service would be restored in coordination with security authorities.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over reports of “violence & excessive use of force” in Iran and called authorities to “exercise maximum restraint & refrain from unnecessary or disproportionate use of force”.
He also pressed Tehran to restore internet access.
Washington, meanwhile, is openly discussing offensive measures against Tehran. Trump was due to meet senior advisers to review options that reportedly include cyber attacks, tougher sanctions and even military strikes.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned the US against “a miscalculation”, saying that “in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate target.”
The protests began on 28 December over soaring prices before widening into anger at Iran’s ruling politicians.
State media said authorities had called for nationwide rallies to denounce what they described as “terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel”.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
