BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. During the recent
protests in Iran, armed individuals initially sought to target
police officers; when this proved unsuccessful, they turned their
attention to civilians and protesters, Iranian Foreign Minister
Seyed Abbas Araghchi said today while meeting with foreign
ambassadors in Tehran, Trend reports.
Araghchi stated that documented audio recordings reveal the
coordinated nature of these attacks, with some actions seemingly
directed by foreign entities.
He emphasized that the perpetrators’ primary goal was to
escalate the death toll, with many victims being killed by gunshots
to the back of the head.
The minister further noted that the assailants openly committed
atrocities, employing tactics reminiscent of those used by ISIS,
including the burning of individuals alive. In addition to this,
they set fire to critical infrastructure, including government
buildings, police stations, private residences, and commercial
properties.
The official revealed that shop owners were threatened with the
forced closure of their stores, and those who resisted were
subjected to property destruction. In one city alone, more than 200
shops were destroyed in the flames.
Emergency response services were also targeted, with over 180
ambulances destroyed within a span of three days. Additionally, 53
mosques across the country were set ablaze.
The protests, which began in late December, were sparked by the
sharp depreciation of the national currency, surging inflation, and
broader economic challenges. Although casualties have been
reported, the precise number remains unconfirmed.
In response to the violence, the Iranian government declared
three days of national mourning starting January 11 to honor those
lost in the unrest.
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