Iran’s FM Says Protests Became ‘Bloody’ To Give Trump Intervention Excuse, Crocodile Tears For Iran, But Silent On Gaza

12th January 2026 at 1:54 PM

1 minute read

Tehran : Iran on Sunday accused the United States and its Western allies of hypocrisy, saying they were expressing “crocodile tears” over unrest inside Iran while remaining silent on Israel’s actions in Gaza, as deadly nationwide protests continued to roil the country. The West sheds crocodile tears for terrorists in Iran but remains silent on the crimes of the Israeli entity in Gaza, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

His remarks came amid sustained demonstrations that began late last month over rising prices and have since widened into a direct challenge to Iran’s clerical regime. Araghchi, however, insisted the protests were now under control. “The situation in the country is fully under control,” news agency Associated Press quoted him as saying. He also claimed Iranian authorities possessed video footage showing weapons being distributed among protesters, adding that confessions from detained individuals would be released soon.

Iranian authorities have blamed the United States and Israel for stoking the protests and called for a nationwide rally today to denounce what they described as “terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel”. Despite official assurances, protests have continued in parts of the country. Videos shared on social media on Saturday showed large crowds marching through Tehran at night, clapping and chanting. “The crowd has no end nor beginning,” a voice is heard saying in one clip.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel since the unrest began. More than 10,600 people have been arrested, the group said. US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran if security forces open fire on protesters.