Iran alleges protests turned violent to give Trump 'excuse' to intervene

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after activists reported more than 500 have been killed

AP

Dubai, Updated At : 01:25 PM Jan 12, 2026 IST

Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, on January 9. (Social Media/via Reuters)

Iran's foreign minister alleged on Monday that nationwide protests in his nation “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for US President Donald Trump to intervene.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after activists reported more than 500 have been killed — the vast majority of them demonstrators.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

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#AlJazeera #IranianGovernment #IranNews #IranProtests #ProtestViolence DonaldTrump humanrights Iran tehran USIntervention

Iran alleges protests turned violent to give Trump 'excuse' to intervene

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after activists reported more than 500 have been killed

AP

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