Speaking on Saturday at the holy shrine of the Founder of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini, Pezeshkian stated that these actors attempted to provoke tensions and equipped certain groups, adding that some innocent people were drawn into the situation and taken to the streets.
According to Pezeshkian, the aim was to fragment the country, fuel conflict and hatred among the people, and create deep divisions within society.
Foreign-backed armed rioters and terrorists hijacked peaceful, sporadic protests over economic grievances on January 8 and 9.
Trump openly and publicly encouraged violence by calling on armed rioters to take over state institutions and threatening military action against Iran if they were confronted.
The violence, encouraged openly by the US and the Israeli regime, resulted in extensive damage to public and private property, with widespread destruction of shops, government institutions, public service facilities, and the killing of thousands of civilians and security forces.
The president noted that in ordinary social protests, people do not take up firearms, kill military personnel, or set ambulances and markets on fire.
He emphasized that the government has a duty to listen to protesters’ voices and concerns and to address their issues, stressing that authorities are prepared to do so.
However, he added, it was clear the situation went beyond a simple social protest, as enemies exploited existing problems to provoke unrest and continue efforts to divide society.
Pezeshkian emphasized that the presence of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and his guidance have consistently neutralized such plots and will continue to do so in the future.
Press TV