According to Khabaronline, Pezeshkian said the U.S. president had alleged that 32,000 people were killed during the “January incidents” in Iran. “We published the names along with national ID numbers. Anyone who has other names should publish them with evidence,” he stated.
He emphasized that Iran accepts protest “in its true sense,” but argued that during those events, “enemies were seeking regime change.”
He added that individuals who set mosques on fire and killed security forces “are no longer protester.”
Addressing the issue of terrorism, Pezeshkian said Iran has long been a victim of targeted attacks. “Do you know why they assassinate our capable individuals?” he asked. “So that weak people like me remain and cannot serve the people, and the enemy can then tell the public: ‘You see, they are incapable.’”
He stated that Iran experienced more than 28,000 street assassinations during the 1980s. “They assassinated our president and our scientists, and then they call us terrorists,” he said.
“What person have we assassinated?” he continued. “You are the terrorists — you are the ones who even assassinate our scientists.”
According to the president, more than 350 mosques were set ablaze and over 300 schools were damaged. “Does someone who is protesting destroy a school? Does someone who is protesting set a mosque on fire?” he asked. “There must be logic.”
Pezeshkian further claimed that certain Israeli officials and some European countries had encouraged unrest, saying they told people, “We are coming tomorrow; you go ahead and strike.” “They were seeking overthrow,” he said.
He reiterated that the government fully accepts legitimate protest and considers itself obligated to address shortcomings and deficiencies to the best of its ability. “We are deeply saddened by what has happened to our dear people,” he added.
On the nuclear issue, Pezeshkian said Iran’s adversaries claim the country must not pursue nuclear weapons — a matter he said Iran has repeatedly clarified. He stressed that Iran does not seek nuclear arms, citing statements by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
“The Leader of the Islamic community, the religious leader of society, cannot lie. When he declares that we will not have nuclear weapons, that means we will not have them,” Pezeshkian said. “Even if I wanted to move in that direction, I could not — from a religious standpoint, I have no right. It is not even permissible for such an idea to cross my mind.”
He added that despite these declarations, the United States continues to claim that Iran has not officially stated it does not seek nuclear weapons.
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