Islamabad [Pakistan], January 16 (HBTV): Iran’s envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, on Thursday said that US President Donald Trump has assured Tehran that he would not attack the country and has asked Iran to exercise restraint, Dawn reported.
The remarks come amid ongoing protests in Iran over rising living costs, during which authorities have imposed internet restrictions. Trump had earlier threatened possible intervention but said on Wednesday that the killing of protesters had stopped and that he would ‘watch and see’ regarding any military action.
According to Dawn, Moghadam made the comments during a visit to Pakistan’s National Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Authority. He said he received information around 1 am local time indicating that Trump did not want war and had asked Iran not to target American interests in the region.
The envoy said the protests stemmed from legitimate grievances but accused the US and Western media of inciting violence. He claimed the situation was now ‘fully under control’ and that no protests were currently taking place, despite what he described as threats from Israel and the United States.
Referring to statements made by US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on January 7, Moghadam said they amounted to interference in Iran’s internal affairs and had further escalated tensions.
As per Dawn, the Iranian envoy alleged that armed groups were responsible for killings, attacks on mosques and imambargahs, and incidents of arson. He added that Iran remained on high alert and that its airspace had been temporarily closed.
Moghadam maintained that in the event of an attack, Iran would target US and Israeli installations across the wider region. He also said Tehran remained committed to pursuing peace.
Meanwhile, Times of Israel reported that clashes between protesters and security forces have resulted in an estimated death toll ranging from under 3,000 to more than 12,000.
(ANI)