Foreign Minister Araghchi comments on protests in Iran during Lebanon visit

Описание: (9 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beirut, Lebanon - 09 January 2026
1. Exterior of Ain Alteeni Palace
2. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi arriving
3. Various of meeting between speaker Nabih Berri and Araghchi
4. Wide of Araghchi at podium
5. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister:
"(The only difference between Iran's protests and protests in Lebanon after the country's currency collapsed) is that the United States and Israel have both officially announced their involvement (in their protests)."
6. Cutaway photographers
7. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister:
"They (Israel and the United States) are doing their best to turn these peaceful protests to acts of violence."
8. Cutaway photographers
9. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister:
"One of my main focuses in all my meetings (during the two-day visit) has been the expansion of economic partnerships and ties between our two countries (Lebanon and Iran)."
10. Wide of office of the Lebanese prime minister
11. Araghchi arriving
12. Various of meeting between Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Araghchi
13. Exterior of the Grand Serail in Beirut
STORYLINE:
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday met with Lebanon's prime minister and parliament speaker in Beirut.

During a briefing Araghchi answered a question about protests sweeping Iran, saying they are different from those elsewhere because "the United States and Israel have both officially announced their involvement."

"They are doing their best to turn these peaceful protests to acts of violence."

Despite Iran’s theocracy cutting off the nation from the internet and international telephone calls, short online videos shared by activists purported to show protesters chanting against Iran’s government around bonfires as debris littered the streets in the capital, Tehran, and other areas into Friday morning.

Araghchi’s visit to Beirut came as the Lebanese military said it had concluded the first phase of a plan to disarm factions, such as Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Araghchi headed an economic delegation for talks with Lebanese officials on regional and international affairs during his two-day visit to Beirut.

“Iran desires having comprehensive relations with Lebanon, including economic partnerships,” Araghchi said.

AP Video shot by Ali Sharafeddine

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