Iran says situation 'under total control' amid pro-govt demonstrations

Tens of thousands of pro-government Iranians flooded the streets on Monday, answering an official call to show solidarity with the state. As state media broadcast images of sprawling crowds at Tehran's Enghelab Square, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared that the internal situation is now "under total control."

The pro-government demonstrations, which also took place in cities such as Kerman, Zahedan and Birjand, were characterized by state broadcasters as a "popular uprising against American-Zionist terrorism." In Shahrud, the rallies coincided with a funeral for security personnel killed during recent unrest. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described the gatherings as a stern warning to U.S. politicians to "halt their deceitful actions and stop relying on their traitorous hirelings."

The current wave of instability was triggered last month by a sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and sweeping reforms to government subsidies. What began as an economic protest quickly morphed into nationwide unrest, leading to violent clashes between police and demonstrators.

Iran accuses U.S. of interference

Earlier Monday, Araghchi reiterated that the situation in Iran is "under total control" and accused the United States of interference. In a meeting with foreign diplomats, he claimed that nationwide protests had been "turned violent and bloody" to give U.S. President Donald Trump an excuse to intervene.

Araghchi said Iran is "ready for war but also for dialogue," accusing foreign elements of fueling the demonstrations and vowing that security forces would "hunt down" those responsible. He further claimed that Iran had obtained evidence of U.S. and Israeli involvement in domestic "terrorist activities," including footage showing weapons being distributed to protesters, and said authorities would soon release detainees' confessions. He also added that internet service, blacked out since Thursday, would be restored soon.

Trump said Sunday that his administration is considering "some very strong options," including potential military action against Iran. The White House emphasized Monday that Trump prefers diplomacy but is prepared to use force if necessary. Trump also claimed that Iran is seeking to negotiate with Washington following his threat of retaliation over Tehran's "crackdown" on protesters, though Tehran has not made direct comments on this claim.

According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, at least 111 members of Iran's security forces have been killed, while casualty figures for protesters have not been released. Rights groups outside Iran estimate that around 600 protesters have died over the past two weeks, though the figure cannot be independently verified.

Meanwhile, the European Union said Monday it is considering additional sanctions against Iran. "We are appalled by the reports of casualties … We stand ready to propose new, more severe sanctions following the violent crackdown on protesters," EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced a ban on all Iranian diplomats and representatives from entering Parliament premises, citing Tehran's response to unrest.

Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the envoys of Britain, Germany, France and Italy after their governments expressed support for the protests, Tasnim reported. Officials presented the envoys with "video evidence of violent acts by rioters," saying the incidents went beyond peaceful demonstrations, and urged the diplomats to relay the footage to their foreign ministers and retract statements backing the protests.

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