Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has mocked French President Emmanuel Macron over his comments on the recent riots in France.
What happened
Macron delivered a national address on Sunday, blaming the war between the US and Iran for the high cost of living in France, which he claimed was fueling unrest in the country. Araghchi responded by accusing Macron of welcoming atrocities against Iranians and calling for the French government to listen to the rioters.
The riots in France saw tens of thousands of people engage in vandalism and destruction, with several major historical sites burned down, including the Limoges City Hall. The French government has arrested over 1,200 people and reported at least 150 law enforcement officers injured.
Araghchi's comments have been criticized as hypocritical, given the Iranian government's own history of suppressing peaceful protests. In December, peaceful protests in Iran were met with overwhelming state force, resulting in the deaths of thousands of unarmed protesters.
The Iranian government has repeatedly condemned France for supporting sanctions against it and hosting Iranian dissident groups. The French president has traveled to the Gulf countries to secure fuel and gas supplies, amid concerns over the cost of living and energy markets.
