Iranian Foreign Minister Cautions Trump Against Military Action
As tensions rise regarding potential U.S. military action against Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Iraqchi has issued a stern warning to President Donald Trump.
Iraqchi stated in a Fox News interview:
"My message to U.S. President Donald Trump is: Do not repeat the same mistake you made in June."
He was referring to U.S. strikes on Iran last summer in 2025, arguing that repeating this "failed experiment" would produce the same negative results.
* "Terrorist Elements" Implicated in Violence
In light of ongoing protests in Iran since December 28, Iraqchi asserted that the casualty figures have not reached the thousands as reported, clarifying that the actual number is in the hundreds, primarily due to violence from what he termed "terrorist elements" operating from abroad, employing tactics reminiscent of ISIS.
Iraqchi elaborated: "These individuals have taken police officers hostage, committed acts of arson, decapitated victims, and opened fire on both law enforcement and civilians."
He stressed that security forces have been effectively addressing these threats for three days, distinguishing them from peaceful demonstrators.
He suggested that some of these incidents may be attempts to provoke U.S. involvement, alluding to a potential role for Israel without providing evidence.
* Denial of Executions and Disputed Casualty Figures
Iraqchi confirmed that there are no plans to execute protesters related to the demonstrations, adding that the Iranian judiciary has refuted the validity of the reported death toll, stating that the figures circulating are merely burial permits rather than confirmed deaths.
* Context of the Protests
The protests, which initially arose from worsening economic conditions, have evolved in some areas into political demonstrations against the government, raising international concerns about potential U.S. intervention following Trump's repeated threats.
