‘West Sheds Tears For Iran, Silence For Gaza’: Tehran On Anti-Regime Protests

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 17:23 IST

Iran's foreign minister accused the US and Western allies of hypocrisy over protests, citing silence on Gaza. Araghchi said unrest is controlled as arrests continue.

Iran accused the US and Western allies of hypocrisy over protests, citing silence on Gaza. Araghchi said unrest is controlled as arrests continue. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Iran on Monday accused the United States and its Western allies of hypocrisy, saying they were showing “crocodile tears" over unrest inside Iran while remaining silent on Israel’s actions in Gaza, even as nationwide protests continued.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Western countries were selectively outraged, claiming they expressed sympathy for what he described as “terrorists in Iran" while ignoring what he called crimes committed by the Israeli state in Gaza.

“The West sheds crocodile tears for terrorists in Iran but remains silent on the crimes of the Israeli entity in Gaza," Araghchi said.

His remarks came as demonstrations that began late last month over rising prices continued in several parts of the country and expanded into a broader challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership.

Araghchi, however, maintained that the situation was under control. “The situation in the country is fully under control," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. He also claimed authorities had video evidence showing weapons being distributed among protesters and said confessions from detained individuals would be released soon.

The foreign minister added that restricted internet services would be gradually restored, but only in coordination with security agencies, indicating that controls would remain in place as the government seeks to contain the unrest.

Iranian officials have accused the United States and Israel of fuelling the protests and have called for a nationwide rally on Tuesday to denounce what they described as “terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel."

Despite official assurances, demonstrations have continued. Videos shared on social media on Saturday showed large crowds marching at night in Tehran, clapping and chanting. In one clip, a voice is heard saying, “The crowd has no end nor beginning."

The protests began on December 28, initially driven by anger over soaring prices, before widening into opposition to the political system established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel since the unrest began. More than 10,600 people have been arrested, the group added.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has threatened action against Iran if security forces open fire on protesters. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has considered a range of responses, including military strikes, cyber operations, expanded sanctions and providing online support to anti-government groups.

News world ‘West Sheds Tears For Iran, Silence For Gaza’: Tehran On Anti-Regime Protests

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