Gholamreza Raja, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, has accused the United States and Israel of being the principal foreign influences behind the protests that swept across the Middle Eastern country for weeks.
The protests, which erupted on December 28, were initially
driven by public dissatisfaction with economic hardship and living conditions.
However, following a state crackdown that left thousands of
protesters dead, the Iranian government said the demonstrations were hijacked
by foreign actors.
While international media houses and rights groups have
pegged the death toll at about 30,000, Raja, citing state officials, said the
figures were exaggerated, adding that the number stood at around 3,000.
“Anybody can say anything,” the ambassador said during a
press conference at the Iranian embassy in Abuja on Tuesday.
Raja said Iran had evidence of the US and Israel provoking
Iranian citizens to take up arms against their government.
“These acts are considered terrorist in nature, and also a
continuation of broader hostile acts against a country,” he said.
“Specifically, let me mention names: the United States, the
Zionist regime (of Israel).
They directly interfere into our domestic issues. They
directly provoke the people. They directly support the people in order to go to
streets.”
Raja said the Iranian government held a dialogue with
protest organisers in the early days, promising to address their concerns, but
was soon overtaken by the US and Israel who allegedly encouraged terrorists to
infiltrate and hijack the protests.
He said the attacks took on an “ISIS-like nature”.
US President Donald Trump had publicly threatened strong
action if Iranian forces continue deadly crackdowns on protesters, saying “help
is on its way” in support of demonstrators.
Trump did not specify the kind of help he referred to but
tensions between Iran and US countries have risen dramatically in recent days.
On Monday, a US aircraft carrier and supporting warships
arrived in the Middle East.
The Iranian ambassador said the country would give a “strong
response” if attacked.
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