Iran claims protests ‘under total control,’ says they turned violent as ‘excuse’ for Trump to intervene

By Agencies and ToI Staff 12 January 2026, 9:26 am

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This frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire in the street in Tehran, Iran, January 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)

Iran’s foreign minister says that “the situation has come under total control” after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country.

Abbas Araghchi also says that the protests “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for US President Donald Trump to intervene.

Araghchi offers no evidence for his claim, which comes after activists reported more than 500 have been killed in the crackdown — the vast majority of them demonstrators.

Araghchi is speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carries his remarks.

Trump said earlier that the US military is examining “very strong options” on Iran.