Iran condemns US ‘interference’ in its internal affairs amid protests

ISTANBUL

Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned the “interference in Iran’s internal affairs” by the US amid protests in various cities.

Tehran emphasized in a statement on the Foreign Ministry website that the US “harbors hostility toward the Iranian people” and denounced what it described as the US’s deceptive conduct and policies toward Iran.

It came after US President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington would “come to the rescue” of protesters if Tehran uses lethal force against demonstrators -- a remark that sparked anger from top Iranian officials.

Referring to provisions in Iran’s Constitution, the statement noted that peaceful protests are officially recognized and efforts are being made to address legitimate demands within a legal framework.

It claimed that the vast majority of Iran’s economic problems have arisen as a result of US sanctions.

The statement said the process being carried out by the US against Iran is an attempt to “incite violence and terrorism … through the dissemination of misinformation by means of economic and psychological warfare.”

Iran has been rocked by widespread protests in recent weeks amid a deteriorating economy and the rapid depreciation of the rial, which has crossed 1,350,000 against the dollar.

There have also been several incidents of violence among protesters and police officers.