Iran: Western countries’ role behind unrest ‘conspicuous’

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran, reportedly shows a motorcycle on fire in the capital Tehran, on Oct 8, 2022. (PHOTO / AFP)

TEHRAN — Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday that "foreign enemies' role and involvement in the recent 'riots' in Iran were quite conspicuous."

Making the remarks in an address in the northern province of Qom, Khamenei said that "the United States and different European countries each obviously played a role and entered the scene in a way during the recent unrest," according to the leader's website.

The leader said it is true that Iran has economic and livelihood problems, but the street "riots" will not resolve such issues.

He noted that by spreading propaganda on social media and through Western, Arabic and Hebrew media, the foreigners pretended the "riots" in Iran were aimed at protesting against and removing the country's weaknesses in the areas of management and economy among others, but removing Iran's strengths was what the "riots" actually sought to achieve.

READ MORE: Iran says 40 foreigners arrested for involvement in unrest

The leader said it is true that Iran has economic and livelihood problems, but the street "riots" will not resolve such issues.

"These were undoubtedly acts of treason and the relevant authorities are reacting to them seriously and justly," he added.

READ MORE: Iran says over 200 died in recent 'riots'

Protests erupted in Iran after 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini died in a Tehran hospital on Sept 16, 2022, a few days after her collapse at a police station. Iran has accused the United States and some other Western countries of "inciting riots and supporting terrorists" in the country.