Situation in Iran under control - Abbas Araghchi

ArmInfo. The situation in Iran has been completely brought under control following the suppression of unrest in the country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas  Araghchi announced this while addressing foreign diplomats in Tehran.

According to Iran.ru, his words were broadcast by the Qatari-funded  satellite news network Al Jazeera, which was allowed to operate  despite the internet shutdown in the country.

Abbas Araghchi also said that the protests "have become violent and  bloody to give" US President Donald Trump an excuse to intervene.

It was also reported that the Iranian government declared three days  of national mourning due to the deaths of citizens and security  personnel during the recent violent unrest. The Iranian presidential  administration stated that the president and cabinet mourn the  Iranian victims. It is noted that national mourning has been declared  in memory of those "who died during Iran's resistance to the United  States and the Israeli regime."

"The Iranian people have witnessed firsthand the barbaric violence  perpetrated by criminals resembling Daesh (ISIS) against their  people, Basij volunteers, and police forces, resulting in many  martyrs," the government statement reads.

The Iranian government has vowed to hold those responsible for the  violence accountable and ensure public order.

As a reminder, protests in Iran erupted on December 28 following the  collapse of the national currency and the rise in prices of basic  goods. Initially a social protest, the protests escalated into riots,  the burning of buildings, and the killing of law enforcement  officers. Iranian authorities responded harshly to the protests.

The country's internet has been shut down for a third day.  Conflicting reports are being released regarding those detained and  killed in Tehran and other Iranian cities. Amid protests in Iran, the  US President threatened to strike the Iranian government if "peaceful  protesters" were killed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote:  "The United States of America stands with the brave Iranian people."

In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf,  speaking to members of parliament on Sunday, January 11, stated that  Israel and US military bases would be legitimate targets for Iran in  the event of a US attack. Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of  Iran's former Shah, released a video message again calling on the  population to take to the streets, declaring his intention to return  to Iran.