Araghchi made the remarks in his meeting with ambassadors, chargé d'affaires, and heads of foreign and international missions residing in Tehran, who were gathered at the Foreign Ministry on Monday, to be briefed about what had happened recently in the streets of various cities in Iran.

“We recognize the right of anyone who protests in Iran, but no country tolerates rioting, setting public property on fire, terrorism, and shooting at people and the armed forces,” he said, adding that the unrest was orchestrated as Iranians would be celebrating the 47th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in a few weeks, to show how they have traveled a tumultuous path to preserve their independence and dignity by resisting foreign conspiracies.

Stating that “expressing grievances is a right of every Iranian citizen guaranteed by the constitution,” he noted that the country had witnessed several protests since late December, which were completely peaceful resulted in fruitful talks with the authorities over their legitimate demands.  

He continued by saying that the arrival of terrorists at the scenes, diverted the protests from their main course and pushed them towards violence, bloodshed, and chaos as “armed elements were shooting at police and security forces, as well as ordinary citizens.”

Referring to the US president’s threat of attacking Iran if the protesters were encountered, the top diplomat said that Donald Trump’s rhetoric was “a clear interference in the internal affairs of another country.”

According to him, the recorded audio and video evidence clearly show the American and Israeli involvement in the terrorist act. “The terrorists were instructed to shoot at protesters to increase the number of casualties, potentially to invite US intervention,” he explained.

Araghchi further noted that Israeli media was filled with claims of the regime’s anti-Iran operations that were further confirmed by Former CIA Director Mike Pompeo’s greetings on New Year to the people on the streets and Mossad agents standing with them.

Araghchi also condemned the stance of some Western countries on the unrest in Iran, saying that ironically, they were condemning our police, instead of condemning terrorism. “They are the same ones who ignored the killing of 70,000 people in Gaza, did not condemn the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and now they are shedding crocodile tears for terrorists,” he taunted on the West.