TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned what it described as “interventionist and deceptive” remarks by U.S. officials on recent unrest in the country, saying they reflected Washington’s continued hostility toward the Iranian people.
In a statement issued late on Wednesday, the ministry said U.S. comments on Iran’s internal affairs were part of a long-standing policy of pressure and interference, rather than genuine concern for the welfare of Iranians.
Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late last month over the sharp fall in the rial and long-standing economic hardships. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and said they are willing to address economic grievances, while warning against violence, vandalism and unrest.
Dozens of people, including protesters and members of the security forces, have been killed since the protests began, according to various reports. There is no official figure for the death toll.
U.S. President Donald Trump and other senior U.S. officials have warned on several occasions that Washington would act if Iran “kills peaceful protesters.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry rejected those statements, saying they were aimed at stirring instability and were a continuation of the U.S. “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran.
It said Iran’s economic difficulties were largely the result of a “full-scale economic and financial war” waged by the United States through “illegal and cruel” sanctions.
The ministry added that U.S. policy toward Iran is “a combination of psychological warfare, media campaigns, spread of false information, threats of military intervention and incitement of violence and terrorism,” which violated the United Nations Charter and international law.
