Addressing a session of the Planning and Development Council of Mazandaran Province, held in Sari on Thursday, Pezeshkian dismissed foreign accusations against Iran, denouncing claims that label the country as a center of “evil”.
He specifically rejected Trump’s allegation that 32,000 people were massacred during the January unrest in Iran.
Pezeshkian argued that the Iranian government has released the names and national ID numbers of all victims, challenging anyone asserting higher figures to substantiate their claims with documented evidence.
The president clarified that more than 2,000 of those reported as casualties were martyrs, including military and security personnel who lost their lives defending Iran’s security. He also highlighted the widespread destruction during the riots, reporting that over 350 mosques were set on fire and more than 300 schools were damaged or destroyed.
Pezeshkian stressed that peaceful protest does not involve attacking schools or places of worship, emphasizing that legitimate dissent must be logical and nonviolent.
The president emphasized that Iran is a victim of terrorism, citing more than 28,000 incidents of urban terrorism targeting officials, including assassinations of the president, Friday prayer leaders, and scientists. He noted that the country continues to face threats to its security and sovereignty.