Iran's Foreign Minister Cautions Trump Against Repeating Past Mistakes
As U.S. threats of potential military action against Iran increase, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Iraqji has issued a stern warning to President Donald Trump.
In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday night, Iraqji stated:
"My message to President Donald Trump is: do not repeat the same mistake you made in June."
This reference pertains to U.S. military actions targeting Iran in the summer of 2025, with Iraqji asserting that repeating this "failed experience" would yield the same negative results.
* Allegations of Terrorism Behind Violence
Regarding the protests that have erupted in Iran since December 28, Iraqji claimed that the death toll has not reached the thousands as reported, clarifying that only hundreds have died due to gunfire from what he described as terrorist elements from abroad, employing tactics similar to those of ISIS.
He further added: "These individuals have taken police officers hostage, burned them alive, decapitated them, and opened fire on both police and civilians."
Iraqji emphasized that security forces have been effectively confronting these elements for three days, rather than targeting peaceful protesters.
He linked some of these incidents to alleged attempts to draw the United States into the conflict, mentioning a potential role for Israel without providing evidence.
* Denial of Executions and Exaggerated Casualty Figures
Iraqji confirmed that there are no plans to execute protesters amid the demonstrations, noting that the Iranian judiciary has also denied the accuracy of circulating casualty figures, asserting that the numbers appearing on death certificates are merely burial permits and not the actual death toll.
* Context of Protests
The protests, which began in response to worsening economic conditions, have evolved in some areas into political demonstrations against the ruling authorities, raising international concerns about potential U.S. intervention following repeated threats from Trump.
