Iran’s Araghchi blames US, Israel for nationwide protests

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday accused the United States and Israel of being involved in the protests in Iran, denied reports that his family had fled the country and said foreign military intervention was unlikely.

“The US and Israel have announced that they are involved in these demonstrations,” Araghchi said in Beirut, pointing to a social media post by former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in which he wrote: “Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.”

Araghchi rejected rumors that his family had left Iran. “My family has not gone anywhere. They are in Tehran,” he said.

He said foreign military intervention during the protests was unlikely. “The possibility of military intervention in Iran at the same time as these protests is unlikely,” he said.

Araghchi also said Oman’s foreign minister was due to visit Tehran on Saturday, but added: “We do not know whether he is carrying a message.”