Bezhakian: Trump, Netanyahu, and Europe Provoked Tensions in Recent Protests

SadaNews - Iranian President Masoud Bezhakian accused U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Europe today (Saturday) of "provoking tensions" in the protests that have swept the country recently and "provoking" the people, according to Reuters.

Bezhakian said: Justice is our goal, and we must grant the people their sovereignty and involve them in governance... We must listen to peaceful protesters.

He added: There are those who are trying to exploit the protests to stir discord and divide the Iranian people and the nation.

He continued: We will pursue the path of justice to stand as a barrier against anyone who lurks over the Iranian people from within and outside.

Trump expressed yesterday (Friday) his belief that Iran wants to strike a deal that allows it to avoid a military strike it threatens to carry out, while Tehran emphasized that its missile capabilities are not up for negotiation.

Iranian officials have intensified diplomatic communication with parties that could help defuse the rising tensions recently following the crackdown on protests in the country, which resulted in the deaths of thousands. While Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Turkey, which is trying to mediate between Washington and Tehran, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani arrived in Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin's announcement.

In recent weeks, the U.S. president has escalated his threats to launch a strike on Iran, as Washington has increased its military presence in the Middle East and sent the aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln" to the region.