Iranian officials are stepping up their claims that foreign forces are behind the unrest sweeping the country, shifting blame from domestic grievances to long-standing rivals abroad.
On Monday, President Massoud Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of fueling the protests and said the same forces that attacked Iran during Israel's Twelve Day War last June were now trying to stoke anger over economic hardship, Al-Jazeera reported.
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Speaking on state broadcaster IRIB, Pezeshkian said foreign actors were deliberately promoting instability. He said, “The same people who attacked this country are now trying to increase these unrest in relation to the economic discussion.” He claimed that some protesters were trained inside and outside Iran and alleged that “terrorists from outside” were involved in attacks on public places, including setting fire to a market and mosques in the northern city of Rasht.
The comments reflect a growing effort by Iranian leaders to portray the protests as a foreign conspiracy rather than a domestic uprising driven by anger over rising prices, economic tensions and repression of dissent.
At the same time, the possibility of direct foreign involvement is being openly discussed in Washington and Tel Aviv. United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled a willingness to use force and has warned Tehran that military options remain on the table as protests continue.
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In Israel, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu suggested last week that Israeli intelligence had an active presence inside Iran. “When we attacked Iran during Rising Lion, we were on their soil and knew how to prepare the ground for an attack,” he told Army Radio. “I can assure you that some of our people are working there right now,” he said, avoiding saying he was calling for regime change.
Those comments were echoed online by former United States Secretary of State and former CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Writing on social media earlier this month, Pompeo acknowledged Israeli activity inside Iran, posting: “Happy New Year to every Iranian walking in the streets. Also, to every Mossad agent who walks with them.”
Iranian officials say such statements support their claims that the unrest is being driven from abroad. However, critics argue that the government is using the narrative of foreign interference to divert attention from deep-rooted economic problems and public anger over decades of clerical rule.
