Iran FM says US, Israel directly intervening’ in protests

Iran’s foreign minister accused the United States and Israel on Friday of fueling a growing protest movement in the country, while dismissing the possibility of direct foreign military intervention after US warnings over crackdowns on demonstrators.

“This is what the Americans and Israelis have stated, that they are directly intervening in the protests in Iran,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a visit to Lebanon. 

 Mass riots in the Iranian capital have caused significant damage to the city’s infrastructure, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani said.

"One hospital has been damaged, two medical centers and 26 banks have been looted, 25 mosques have been set on fire, and law enforcement posts and headquarters [of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps militia] Basij came under attack," he said on Iran’s state TV. Zakani added that emergency response teams are working to repair the damage in the capital.

According to him, rioters harmed ten government buildings, 48 fire trucks, 42 buses and ambulances, as well as 24 apartments.