Iran Prez Apologizes Over Crackdown As Nation Marks 1979 Islamic Revolution Anniversary
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian apologized Wednesday to “everyone affected” by the nationwide protests and subsequent bloody crackdown. The president also condemned the vague “Western propaganda” surrounding the protests. His comments came during a speech at Iran’s commemoration of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Without directly acknowledging Iranian security forces’ involvement in the bloodshed, Pezeshkian said he knew the “great sadness” people felt during the protests and crackdown. “We are publicly ashamed and we have an obligation to help everyone who was harmed in these events,” Pezeshkian said. he said. “We are not seeking conflict with the public.” Pezeshkian also emphasized that his country “is not seeking nuclear weapons and is ready for any verification.”
Iran is in the middle of negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program. However, it remains unclear whether a nuclear agreement will be reached. President Donald Trump has threatened to send another aircraft carrier to pressure Iran. Meanwhile, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has not been able to inspect and verify Iran’s nuclear stockpile for months.
