Araghchi Cites Iran’s Terror Attack Toll in Response to Vance Warns U.S. Protesters
WANA (Jan 23) – As the United States has recently criticized Iran for its response to internal unrest and accused Tehran of excessive force against protesters, new remarks by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance have reignited the debate over Washington’s double standards in dealing with violence and security threats.
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Vance addressed demonstrators in the United States, stating: “Our plan is very simple: if you storm a church or attack a federal officer, we will do everything we can to put you in prison.”
The statement drew a pointed response from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who released detailed figures outlining the scale of destruction and human losses caused by what Iran describes as recent terrorist operations inside the country.
His message implicitly highlighted what Tehran views as a clear contradiction: while U.S. officials frame a hardline response to attacks on religious sites and security forces at home as self-evident, they simultaneously condemn Iran for confronting organized violence and unrest within its own borders.
Araghchi’s message on X. Social Media / WANA News Agency
According to the data published by Iran’s foreign minister, the recent attacks resulted in extensive damage to civilian and public infrastructure. The reported losses include 305 ambulances and buses, 24 fuel stations, approximately 700 local grocery stores, 300 private residential units, 750 banks, 414 government buildings, 749 police stations, 120 Basij centers, 200 schools, 350 mosques, 15 libraries, and two Armenian churches. In addition, 253 bus stops, 600 ATMs, and 800 private vehicles were damaged or destroyed.
Regarding human casualties, Araghchi stated that the total death toll has reached 3,117. Of these, 2,427 were civilians and security personnel, while 690 were identified as terrorists involved in the attacks.
By releasing these figures, Iran’s top diplomat stressed that the Islamic Republic, like any sovereign state, has both the right and the responsibility to protect its citizens, public institutions, religious sites, and critical infrastructure from violence and terrorism.
He argued that this principle is widely accepted when applied by Western governments, yet questioned when exercised by other countries—revealing, in Tehran’s view, a selective and politically driven approach to security and law enforcement.
The Latest Death Toll of the Riots in Iran
WANA (Jan 22) – The Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs of Iran issued a formal statement, announcing that 2,427 citizens—comprising both security personnel and civilians—were “martyred” during recent terrorist and armed attacks, out of a total of 3,117 fatalities recorded during the unrest. “The treacherous hand of Iran’s enemies, acting through trained terrorist […]
