“America, West interfering in internal problems of Iran” Iranian Ambassador Hashem Ashjazadeh in conversation with the Daily Mirror sheds light on the current civil protests in Iran

File photo: On August 19, 1953 Massive protests broke out across Iran, leaving almost 300 dead in firefights in the streets of Tehran. Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh was soon overthrown in a coup orchestrated by the CIA and British intelligence. The Shah was reinstalled as Iran’s leader (AFP).   

The Islamic revolution in Iran, in 1979 saw the overthrow of the US and British-backed Shah (Monarch). Since its founding, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been in conflict with the US and Britain.  

The Shah was installed in a 1953 coup orchestrated by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the aftermath of Iran’s then-elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh’s nationalisation of Iran’s oil industry.   
Britain which had controlled Iran’s oil resources appealed to the US and the CIA orchestrated a coup via bribing media institutes, planting false propaganda against the PM and recruiting unscrupulous members of the clergy to stir dissent.  

Following the coup, Mossadegh was arrested, placed on trial and spent the rest of his life under house arrest. The Shah was enthroned and ruled until 1979 when he was overthrown by the Islamic Revolution.   
On 19 August 2013, the CIA publicly admitted for the first time its involvement in the 1953 coup.  

Since the overthrow of the Shah and the holding of US nationals hostage, the US has never forgiven Iran and its people for the humiliation it suffered.   

Having deposed of the Shah, Iran’s government has followed a unique principle of “Governorship” or legal guardianship under the Sharia (A set of Islamic religious laws that govern aspects of day-to-day life for Muslims).   
The 1979 Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, made the “Guardian” the Supreme Leader of Iran. Ayatollah Khomeini was the first Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.   

Subsequently, the US imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran and its people. The sanctions put restrictions on foreign trade, financial services, energy sectors and technologies and include a ban on the provision of insurance and reinsurance by the EU insurers to the State of Iran and Iranian-owned companies.  

In the wake of US sanctions, IMF estimates suggest Iran fell into a trade deficit of $3.45 billion in 2020. The country had a trade surplus of $6.11 billion in 2019, according to the IMF. A report by Abbas Kebriaeezadeh, Professor of Pharmacology at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, found that US sanctions “are killing cancer patients in Iran” indirectly, creating dire drug shortages and skyrocketing prices.  

Despite the weight of sanctions and multiple difficulties heaped on them, however, the Iranian people stood with their Government against the wiles and snares of the US.  

Today, over 40 years after the revolution which overthrew the Shah, Iran is once again faced with turmoil. The ongoing unrest is the first major upheaval since the Iranian Revolution and this time around Iranians have taken to the streets over the controversial death in custody of a young woman -Mahsa Amini.  

Ms Amini was initially taken into custody by Iran’s morality police for allegedly wearing an improper hijab.   
The Police claimed her death was a result of a pre-existing condition. But, her family challenged the findings into her death. They charged that her death was a result of Ms Amini being beaten.   

On 1 November, state-aligned news agency ISNA revealed 315 protestors had been indicted in Teheran and more than 700 others had been charged in the provinces.As the controversy continues to rage, the Daily Mirror spoke to Hashem Ashjazadeh Ambassador of Iran in Lanka regarding ongoing protests and the death in custody of the young woman who had apparently been killed for not wearing a prescribed article of clothing.  

“The unfortunate passing of Mahsa Amini while in Police custody’ Ambassador Ashjazadeh said was bitter and painful news to all Iranians.   

In the aftermath, of the young woman’s death, the President himself demanded a special investigation and immediate judicial inquiry into the issue. He even telephoned Mahsa Amini’s family condoled with them and promised an inquiry.  

Unfortunately, however, the peaceful protests against this crime were hijacked by foreign-backed groups who resorted to violence with the aim of destabilising the country.  
Several incidents of shootings took place. Terrorist groups with established links to foreign countries carried out acts of violence, aggravating the problem.They insidiously changed the direction of a legitimate civil protest towards interventionist agendas.   

There is a distinction between civil protest and organized violence. What we are witnessing today is violence targeting innocent civilians and public property. 

Excerpts from the interview:  

QAre you saying the protestors were guided into attacking Government buildings and those opposed to the demonstrations by agents of a particular country? Can you please clarify, by mentioning particular incidents?

Many of the gatherings/protests which took place in the wake of the unfortunate death of Ms Amini in different parts of the country were peaceful.  

But in some areas, violence broke out causing anxiety and destruction. In my opinion, these acts are reminiscent of the events instigated by the American CIA which took place prior to the coup which toppled the Government of then-Premier Mossadegh   

I am convinced, based on facts on the ground, these acts of violence were instigated by the US.  
The US and some Western countries have again started to interfere in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran by supporting these rioters.  

Other external actors -foreign-sponsored terrorist groups also direct their agents to incite individuals to participate in violent disturbances. Websites and foreign TV networks broadcasting in ‘Farsi’ also contributed- to inciting youth and people to indulge in acts of violence.  

During the protests which degenerated into rioting and violence, some individuals affiliated with terrorist groups, and sections of the media backed by foreign countries resorted to violent acts damaging public and private properties and even against civilians who disagreed with them, as well as against the police force by instigating people to violence. In some instances, they trained them in the use of use firearms and other incendiary materials.   
QWhat makes you say a foreign hand was involved in the protests? Could you also explain the nature of the acts of arson, loss of life and injuries? Finally, what type of weapons did some of the protestors use?

 
By and large, from media reports circulating, the protestors did not have weapons. What is your response to these charges? 

During these terrifying riots, many public and private properties were set on fire or looted. Some law enforcement agents and ordinary people lost their lives or were injured by weapons used by the rioters.

QYou mentioned websites and foreign TV networks broadcasting in Farsi used to incite young people. Could you specifically name some of these sites and particular foreign TV networks? 

BBC Persian, VOA, Iran International and Manoto, are some of the main foreign TV Networks  

QWhat makes you say that there was foreign intervention in the outbreak of protests?

As peaceful civil protests were underway, hostile states’ actors guided civil protests towards insurrectionist violence aiming at destabilizing our country.   

The shootings carried out by separatist terror organizations who infiltrated the peaceful protest movement are known to have links with hostile foreign powers which complicated matters.   

There is a distinction between civil protest and organized terrorism or any other forms of violence that target innocent civilians and public property. 

 
Most gatherings which took place in the wake of the death of Ms Amini in different parts of the country were peaceful.   

Soon America and some Western powers began interfering in what was essentially an internal problem in Iran, supporting groups bent on rioting and taking violent action.   

Other external actors, such as armed militant groups, instigated demonstrators into violent actions providing them with weapons, and incendiary materials, attacking public buildings, creating roadblocks, preventing the movement of vehicular traffic and attacking the forces of law and order.  

Websites and foreign TV networks broadcasting in Farsi also played a significant role in inciting demonstrators to violence.   

QCould you specify some of the violent acts against public/State property?

During the rioting, public and private properties were set on fire or looted. A few law enforcement agents and bystanders lost their lives or were injured by armed rioters. Public services such as banks, ATMs, and ambulances (including those transferring patients) were attacked. Public transport, police cars, fire engines and religious places were also subject to organised attacks. A number of them were reduced to ashes.  

In Iran, we recognise the right of people to protest peacefully. Unfortunately, the involvement of foreign powers changed the direction of peaceful protests, leading to death and destruction. 

 
We well remember how, on August 19, 1953, street protests organized and financed by the CIA overthrew Mossadeq and installed the Shah as head of Iran.  

The Shah who fled the country when the initial coup failed, immediately returned to the country, took power and to show his gratitude signed over 40 per cent of Iran’s oil fields to U.S. companies.   

The infiltration of the present street protests and the ongoing violence is a continuation of America’s efforts to destabilise Iran, install another puppet regime and take control of Iran’s oil resources.