Iranian officials have accused Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, of inciting and organizing recent riots in Iran, claiming that "trained terrorist groups" from abroad, including "Mossad agents," are leading the violent protests.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated this during a recent interview on Fox News, calling the protests a "terrorist war" and asserting that the unrest was orchestrated by foreign powers, particularly the U.S. and Israel. He denied any plans for executions, stating, “Hanging is out of the question,” and labeled death toll figures as part of a “misinformation campaign” by the media aimed at provoking President Trump into bombing Iran.
Trump has repeatedly threatened “very strong action” if Iran executes detained protesters, calling it a “very strong” response that could include military intervention. Trump claimed, Wednesday, he had been told by “important sources” that the killing of protesters had stopped and that executions would not proceed.
The U.S. president later told reporters that “help is on the way” for Iranians and urged them to “take over your institutions.” Trump also announced a 25% tariff on any country trading with Iran, escalating economic pressure. His administration has reportedly considered military strikes, cyber-attacks, and boosting anti-government voices online after Iranian authorities reportedly jammed 80% of illegal Starlink signal in the country, and confiscated Starlink terminals.
The riots, which Israeli media reported was hijacked and exploited by the Mossad, began on December 28, 2025 -- shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with Trump in Mar-a-Lago -- initially sparked by a sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial and inflation reaching 40%, which caused severe price hikes for basic goods.
University students joined, Israeli agents mostly Indians and Afghanis quickly hijacked the movement which spread nationwide, with calls for political change and support for exiled unpopular Israeli-backed liberal Prince Reza Pahlavi.
Riots reportedly spread to 187 cities and all 31 provinces, with over 600 rioters and security personnel dead, private properties and mosques torched and more than 8,000 arrested.
In response to the riots, Iranian authorities have used water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. It has become difficult to confirm the authenticity of videos of the riots posted on social media.
To combat Mossad and CIA infiltration of their networks, Iran has imposed a nationwide internet blackout since January 8, restricting communication and making verification of stories out of Iran difficult. The state media this week, broadcast live video of millions of Iranians rallying against the riots and in support of government crackdown on the violence.
Iran’s judiciary has vowed “swift and harsh” punishment, with the attorney general declaring rioters “enemies of God.” Meanwhile, G7 nations have threatened additional sanctions, and the UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the crisis.
The U.S. has begun evacuating personnel from Qatar, and several European countries have advised citizens to leave Iran. Despite the tensions, Iran has reopened its airspace, and Trump said he will “watch and see” before deciding on military action. Leaders of Gulf Arab nations reportedly asked the U.S. president to hold on any military airstrikes, fearing regional conflagration.
Critics online, have slammed Trump for trying to involve the U.S. into "another war for Israel" in the Middle East. Iran, they argue, is not a threat to the U.S, and that only "Netanyahu's vision of Greater Israel," is served by toppling the current Iranian leadership and creating chaos in the region which is against American interests.
