Iran alleges: Israel is supporting terrorists in the protests

Iran has formally accused Israel of providing direct support to terrorist groups operating within its borders, a claim presented to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Guterres, asserting that Israel, with the tacit approval of the United States, has been supplying terrorist factions in Iran with financial aid, weapons, and organisational assistance.

According to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi emphasised that the recent protests, which erupted following a sharp decline in the value of the Iranian rial on 28 December, initially began as peaceful demonstrations. However, the situation allegedly escalated into violent acts involving organised terrorist activity.

Araghchi further insisted that Israel has played a direct role in arming and structuring these groups, with Washington’s backing. Despite these allegations, he reiterated Iran’s commitment to protecting human rights and maintaining order.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General, acknowledged the protesters’ right to express their grievances without fear of reprisal. He called for fair and transparent judicial processes for those detained during the demonstrations and urged an independent investigation into all reported deaths in the country.

Al Dardari also expressed the UN’s concern over threats of military action against Iran, stressing that resolution of the crisis should be pursued through dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful means rather than force.

Human rights organisations, including HRANA, report that the protests have already claimed at least 2,571 lives, though Iranian authorities have officially confirmed approximately 2,000 fatalities.

For a clearer overview of the situation:

The ongoing unrest highlights the tension between citizens’ demands for reform and alleged foreign interference, raising urgent questions about both domestic governance and international responsibility.