Iran says ‘situation is now under total control’ after weekend violence

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has alleged that nationwide protests “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for United States President Donald Trump to intervene militarily in the country.

Araghchi told foreign diplomats in Tehran on Monday that the violence spiked over the weekend, but the “situation is now under total control”.

Iran’s spiralling protests have now entered a third week amid a nationwide internet blackout and repeated military intervention threats from Trump.

Iran’s government has declared three days of national mourning for the “martyrs” killed during the protests, including members of security forces.