Tehran is witnessing a stark divide as massive anti-government protests enter their third week, claiming over 544 lives and leading to more than 10,000 arrests, according to rights groups. While furious crowds clash with security forces across the nation, a counter-rally in the capital drew thousands in support of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi joined the pro-regime demonstration, addressing the crowd with fiery rhetoric. ‘The presence of our people gives us strength. We must stand firm on the frontlines, and we are right there with you,’ he declared, emphasizing unity against what he called foreign-orchestrated chaos.
President Masoud Pezeshkian also participated in similar shows of loyalty, aiming to project governmental resilience amid escalating violence. Reports from the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) paint a grim picture, highlighting brutal crackdowns that have intensified the crisis.
Araghchi didn’t hold back on accusations, pointing fingers at the United States and Israel for fueling the unrest. Speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, he claimed irrefutable evidence links Washington and Tel Aviv to terrorist acts and infiltrations by Mossad agents posing as Persian speakers. ‘The Islamic Republic does not seek war but is fully prepared for it. We’re open to fair talks based on equality and mutual respect,’ he added.
This comes after deadly skirmishes between protesters and forces, where dozens perished. The foreign minister asserted that documents prove foreign meddling, including support for infiltrators disrupting the nation. As tensions simmer, the regime’s show of support underscores its determination to weather the storm, but with casualties mounting, the path forward remains fraught with uncertainty.