Iranian President Masoud Pazakhstani today addressed the protests in the country for the first time in detail, in an interview about the economic situation for national media affiliated with the regime.
During the interview, he said that "terrorists" linked to foreign powers were killing people, burning mosques and attacking public property.
He added that Iran's enemies are seeking to "sow chaos and disorder" by "ordering riots." At the same time, he took a more conciliatory tone, saying that Iran's political leadership is ready to listen to the citizens.
The protests initially erupted due to the rapid rise in inflation and the difficult economic situation in the country.
Pezeshkiyan said his government was determined to solve citizens' economic problems and called on the population to distance themselves from "rioters and terrorists," the report said. index.hr.
He said they were trying to "destroy the entire society."
Pezeshkian belongs to the circle of more moderate politicians in Iran, but was sufficiently aligned with conservative clerical structures to be allowed to run in the presidential elections.
However, he is not an ally of ultra-conservative Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
As president, Pesekian has some power within Iran's complex system of government, but his decisions can be overturned by Khamenei.
The interview repeats previous messages
Pezeshkiyan's latest statements echo comments he made last week. At a meeting with businessmen about the economic situation, he also blamed the protests on foreign interference and called for unity.
"We find ourselves in a situation where the enemies of the country are exerting external pressure, and unfortunately also within the country itself," Pezeshkiyan said at the time.
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