Iran Accuses Netanyahu of Inciting Deadly Protests

In a fiery televised address that has sent shockwaves through the international community, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has directly accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, of orchestrating and exacerbating the recent wave of deadly protests across Iran. The allegations, made on January 31, 2026, paint a picture of foreign meddling aimed at destabilizing the Islamic Republic, amid a crackdown that has claimed thousands of lives.

The Spark of Accusations

Pezeshkian's speech, broadcast via Iran's official Student News Network, described how external powers "equipped and brought a number of innocent people along with this movement and poured them into the streets." He claimed these forces incited violence, fostering division and hatred within Iranian society. "They sought to tear this country apart," Pezeshkian asserted, specifically naming Netanyahu as a key provocateur. This comes at a time when Israel and Iran have long been locked in a shadow war, with Netanyahu's government repeatedly voicing concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence.

The protests, which erupted earlier this month, were initially sparked by socioeconomic grievances but quickly escalated into widespread unrest. Iranian authorities report over 3,000 deaths, attributing most to clashes involving security forces and what they call "rioters." However, human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, estimate the toll could reach tens of thousands, decrying the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.

Netanyahu's Role in the Narrative

Netanyahu, a staunch critic of the Iranian regime, has historically positioned Israel as a bulwark against Tehran's expansionism. Under his leadership, Israel has conducted covert operations, including cyberattacks on Iranian nuclear sites like Fordow and assassinations of key figures in Iran's nuclear program. Pezeshkian's accusations align with Iran's long-standing narrative of Israeli interference, suggesting that Netanyahu's rhetoric and actions—such as recent approvals for Israel to purchase $6.6 billion in U.S. attack helicopters—emboldened anti-government elements.

Analysts point to Netanyahu's close alliance with Trump as a complicating factor. During Trump's first term, the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), imposing crippling sanctions that Netanyahu vocally supported. Now, with Trump back in office, whispers of a "team Netanyahu" resurgence suggest coordinated efforts to pressure Iran. Satellite imagery of the Fordow facility, a deeply buried uranium enrichment site, has fueled speculations of impending Israeli or U.S. strikes, adding credence to Iran's claims of provocation.

U.S. Involvement and Escalating Threats

Trump's response to the protests has been unequivocal. For weeks, he has threatened military action against Iran over its handling of the demonstrations, which Tehran insists were foreign-orchestrated. A U.S. naval strike group has been deployed to Middle Eastern waters since Monday, with Trump stating it is "ready, willing, and able" to intervene if necessary. This military posturing echoes the "madman theory"—a tactic of unpredictable aggression—aimed at reshaping Middle East dynamics.

On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department escalated economic pressure by sanctioning Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers. Momeni, who oversees the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), was labeled responsible for the deaths of thousands of protesters. In a novel move, sanctions also targeted digital currency exchanges linked to investor Babak Morteza Zanjani, accused of embezzling billions and funneling funds to IRGC-linked entities. These measures aim to choke Iran's financial lifelines, further straining its economy already battered by protests and isolation.

Iran's Diplomatic Pushback

Despite the bellicose rhetoric, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi extended an olive branch on Friday, stating Iran is open to "fair and equitable" talks with the U.S. "Iran has no problem with negotiations, but they cannot take place under the shadow of threats," Araghchi emphasized during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. He firmly ruled out discussions on Iran's defensive missile capabilities or nuclear program, underscoring Tehran's red lines.

This diplomatic scramble reflects a broader effort to avert war. Historical U.S.-Iran relations, marked by the 1979 hostage crisis, the Iran-Contra affair, and the JCPOA's collapse, provide a fraught backdrop. Experts warn that Netanyahu's influence could tip the scales toward confrontation, especially as Israel eyes Iran's proxy networks in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

Implications for Global Stability

The accusations against Netanyahu highlight the intricate web of alliances and enmities defining Middle East geopolitics. For the U.S. audience, this saga underscores the costs of entanglement in regional conflicts—economic sanctions strain global markets, while military threats risk broader escalation involving allies like Saudi Arabia and adversaries like Russia and China, who back Iran.

Human rights remain a flashpoint. Pezeshkian urged dialogue with genuine protesters, acknowledging the need to address underlying issues like economic inequality and corruption. Yet, the regime's narrative of foreign plots—implicating Netanyahu's Mossad and U.S. intelligence—serves to rally domestic support and deflect blame.

As tensions simmer, the world watches. Will Trump's threats lead to strikes on sites like Fordow, or will Araghchi's overtures pave the way for de-escalation? Netanyahu's next moves, potentially bolstered by U.S. arms deals, could determine if this is a brief storm or the prelude to all-out conflict. For now, Iran's streets bear the scars of what Pezeshkian calls a "provoked" uprising, with Netanyahu at the center of the blame game.

In the realm of international relations, such finger-pointing is par for the course, but the stakes here are existential. Israel's security concerns over Iran's nuclear pursuits are legitimate, yet the human cost in Iran demands scrutiny. As Everythiiing.com reports, the path forward hinges on whether dialogue can eclipse the drums of war.