In a striking development reflecting escalating tensions in the regional landscape, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian directly and explicitly accused the United States and Israel, holding them fully responsible for attempting to incite internal unrest in his country. These statements come at a sensitive time, as the Islamic Republic faces complex internal and external challenges, leaving the region with a range of possible scenarios.
Accusations of foreign interference and training of armed elements
Speaking to Iranian state television, Pezeshkian asserted that the protests were not merely spontaneous but part of a "comprehensive war" waged by Western and regional powers. The Iranian president indicated that authorities possessed evidence of foreign entities training and recruiting individuals from within and outside the country to destabilize it, describing those who committed acts of violence and burned mosques as "terrorists" with no connection to humanity.
Pezeshkian stressed the need for a clear distinction between "legitimate protest," guaranteed by the constitution, and "rioting," which targets societal security. He stated, "Protest is a right of the people, and it is our duty as a government to listen to their concerns and work to resolve their problems. However, our greater duty is to protect national security and prevent rioters from sowing chaos." He called on the Iranian people to unite and be aware of these schemes.
Historical context: The "blame" strategy
Historically, since the 1979 revolution, the Iranian leadership has consistently linked internal protests to foreign conspiracies, a tactic known in Iranian political discourse as "soft war." Observers believe that Pezeshkian's statements are a continuation of this official approach, which posits that any protest movement is immediately hijacked by "enemies," specifically the United States and Israel, with the aim of overthrowing the regime from within rather than through direct military confrontation.
American threat of military option
Meanwhile, on the American side, reports quoted President Donald Trump indicating that he was considering military options against Tehran, amid human rights reports of a rising death toll in the protests. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that his administration was monitoring the situation very closely, suggesting that Iran may have crossed a red line in its violent crackdown on protesters.
Trump added: "We are considering very strong options, and we will make a decision on this matter," reflecting Washington's desire to exert maximum pressure on Tehran, exploiting the internal movement as a tool for political and diplomatic pressure.
Humanitarian dimensions and international concerns
On the human rights front, international organizations reported that the death toll in the two-week-long protests has exceeded 192, amid warnings of a potential "massacre" of demonstrators. This situation further complicates the international landscape, as Tehran finds itself under intense scrutiny from human rights groups, potentially paving the way for new international sanctions and exacerbating the economic crisis that is the primary driver of the protests.
The repercussions of the crisis on the stability of the region
This escalating tension between Tehran and Washington is not confined to Iran's borders; it casts a dark shadow over the stability of the entire Middle East. Any potential military action or increased unrest could trigger regional conflicts through Iran's proxies, threatening global energy security and international shipping lanes, and pushing the region to the brink of a major conflagration.
