Former Iranian President Calls Protests An ‘Israeli & US Conspiracy’

In a statement posted on X by the Persian-language account of the US Department of State, the department said Iranians had “risked everything to demand freedom and justice” and were met with “brutal violence” by the authorities.

“As if that were not enough, the regime is now threatening neighbouring countries as well as United States interests and assets in the region,” the statement said.

The department said the response reflects what it described as a recurring pattern by Iran’s leaders, accusing them of consistently choosing violence over dialogue both toward their own people and the international community.

The statement urged Iran’s leaders to listen to protesters’ demands rather than resorting to force, as tensions continue to rise amid ongoing demonstrations and regional instability.

Faisal bin Farhan and Abbas Araghchi discussed ways to strengthen regional stability, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X.

In a separate statement, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Saudi foreign minister expressed concern about the current situation in the region and stressed the importance of diplomacy and regional cooperation to maintain stability and security.

According to the statement, Araghchi said the Islamic Republic would defend Iran’s sovereignty against external threats.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Beijing supports the government and people of Iran and hopes they can overcome current difficulties and maintain stability.

Mao said China opposes interference by external forces in the internal affairs of sovereign states and does not support the use or threat of force in international relations.

Her remarks come as tensions have escalated between Washington and Tehran amid widespread protests in Iran and growing international concern over the situation.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Tehran has urged regional countries to “prevent a Washington attack on Iran,” warning that US military bases hosted by allies would be considered legitimate targets in the event of an assault.

According to the official, Iran has conveyed the message to several countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Türkiye.

The official also said direct contacts between Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff have been suspended, signalling a further deterioration in diplomatic engagement.

At the same time, an Israeli official told Reuters that, according to Israel’s assessment, Trump has decided to intervene in Iran, although the scope and timing of any action remain unclear.

The Israeli official said the security cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was briefed late Tuesday on scenarios including possible US intervention or the collapse of the Iranian government.

Tensions have escalated sharply as Iran faces widespread anti-government protests and amid increasingly explicit warnings from Washington.

Meanwhile, the editorial board of Iran International Network said in a statement that the Islamic Republic has killed at least 12,000 people during nationwide protests. Iranian authorities have not confirmed the figure.

Independent verification of casualty numbers remains difficult due to severe media restrictions and ongoing internet shutdowns across Iran.

The agency wrote that the current limitations should remain in place, acknowledging that the government has so far been unable to resolve problems with the country’s domestic internet infrastructure. It said efforts are under way to address those technical issues.

According to Fars, the existing level of internet access is expected to remain unchanged until the protests “subside”. The report added that final decisions on easing or lifting the restrictions would be made in the coming weeks.

Iran imposed a near-total internet shutdown following the outbreak of widespread anti-government demonstrations, a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups and international organisations, which say the restrictions limit access to information and hinder the documentation of alleged abuses.