Iran’s president accused President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and European leaders Saturday of provoking unrest and trying to "tear this country apart," a report said. 

Masoud Pezeshkian told state television that Trump, Netanyahu and European leaders "rode on our problems, provoked, and were seeking — and still seek — to fragment society," according to Reuters.

"They brought them into the streets and wanted, as they said, to tear this country apart, to sow conflict and hatred among the people and create division," Pezeshkian reportedly added about the anti-government protests and deadly crackdown that recently swept through Iran. "Everyone knows that the issue was not just a social protest." 

The White House did not immediately respond Saturday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

SAUDIS WON'T LET THE UNITED STATES USE ITS BASES OR AIRSPACE FOR AN ATTACK ON IRAN, SENIOR GULF OFFICIAL REVEALS

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency recently reported that the violence in Iran has killed at least 6,479 people in recent weeks, with many more feared dead. Its count included at least 6,092 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 118 children and 55 civilians who were not demonstrating. More than 47,200 have been arrested, it added. 

As of Jan. 21, Iran’s government put the death toll at a far lower 3,117, saying 2,427 were civilians and security forces and labeling the rest "terrorists." 

Pezeshkian’s comments come after Trump said Friday that the United States has directly communicated expectations to Iran as pressure mounts for Tehran to accept a nuclear deal.

SATELLITE IMAGES REVEAL ACTIVITY AT IRAN NUCLEAR SITES BOMBED BY US, ISRAEL

Asked whether Iran faces a deadline to make a deal, Trump suggested in the Oval Office Friday the timeline had been conveyed privately.  

"Only they know for sure," he said when pressed about whether the message had been delivered directly to Iranian leaders.

As Trump weighs his options on a possible military strike on Iran, a senior Gulf official also told Fox News Saudi Arabia will not allow the U.S. to use its airspace or bases for such an attack. 

Fox News’ Morgan Phillips, Peter Pinedo, Jacqui Heinrich and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Saturday that strikes across Gaza had been carried out in response to what it described as a ceasefire violation in which eight terrorists had been identified exiting underground terror infrastructure in eastern Rafah.

The IDF said it had struck four commanders and additional terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as a weapons storage facility. A weapons manufacturing site and two launch sites belonging to Hamas in central Gaza were also hit, the IDF said.

Gaza hospitals run by the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said at least 30 Palestinians were reported killed in the strikes, according to The Associated Press. 

US ENVOY WITKOFF SAYS HIGH-LEVEL MIAMI TALKS FOCUSED ON 'UNIFIED GAZAN AUTHORITY' AS ISRAEL CEASEFIRE ADVANCES

Hospital officials reported that casualties included civilians. They said the casualties included two women and six children from two different families. An airstrike also hit a police station in Gaza City, killing at least 14 and wounding others, Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiya said.

The strikes came a day after Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire. An Israeli military official told the AP that the strikes were carried out in response to ceasefire violations but declined to comment on specific targets.

The violence unfolded one day before the Rafah border crossing with Egypt was set to reopen, a move seen as a key step in the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. That phase includes limited border reopenings, efforts to demilitarize Gaza and discussions over postwar governance.

Israel has said the Rafah crossing has been a focal point for concerns about weapons smuggling by Hamas, and that security arrangements would accompany any reopening.

TWO IDF SOLDIERS KILLED AMID 'SEVERE' CEASEFIRE VIOLATION, 'IT'S NOT THE LAST,' ANALYST SAYS

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel agreed to a "limited reopening" of the crossing under President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.

Israel has said it continues to carry out strikes across the region in response to violations of ceasefire understandings. On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces said it struck Hezbollah infrastructure and engineering vehicles in southern Lebanon, accusing the group of attempting to reestablish terror infrastructure in violation of agreements with Israel.

Meanwhile, a senior Israeli military official acknowledged that the IDF believes the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry’s overall death toll from the war is largely accurate, according to The Times of Israel. The military estimates around 70,000 Gazans were killed during the two-plus-year conflict triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

The Gaza Health Ministry currently reports 71,667 deaths, including more than 450 since the October 2025 ceasefire, though Israeli officials said the estimate does not include bodies believed to be buried under rubble.

Gaza’s Health Ministry has said 509 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began Oct. 10.

Israel also returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians on Thursday, days after recovering the remains of the last Israeli hostage, a Gaza Health Ministry official said, according to the AP.

The transfer marked the final hostage-detainee exchange under the first phase of the ceasefire.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Sunday that Israel has agreed to a "limited reopening" of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt under President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.

In a series of posts on X, Netanyahu's office said the crossing will reopen after the completion of an operation to locate the remains of the final Israeli hostage. The reopening will be limited to pedestrian traffic and remain subject to a full Israeli inspection process.

"As part of President Trump’s 20-point plan, Israel has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism," the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel wrote.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the reopening was contingent on the return of all living hostages and what it described as a "100 percent effort" by Hamas to locate and return the remains of all deceased hostages.

NETANYAHU AGREES TO JOIN TRUMP’S GAZA BOARD OF PEACE AFTER INITIAL PUSHBACK

All deceased hostages have been recovered except for police officer Ran Gvili.

"The IDF is currently conducting a focused operation to exhaust all of the intelligence that has been gathered in the effort to locate and return the fallen hostage, Master-Sgt. Ran Gvili, of blessed memory," the Prime Minister’s Office wrote. "Upon completion of this operation, and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the US, Israel will open the Rafah Crossing."

TRUMP AND WORLD LEADERS SIGN GAZA BOARD OF PEACE CHARTER

HOW THE OCT 7 HAMAS TERROR ATTACKS EXPOSED LONG-RUNNING CONCERNS ABOUT UNRWA, NEW FILM CHARGES

"The State of Israel is committed to the return of Israeli hero Master-Sgt. Ran Gvili and will spare no effort to bring him home for a proper Jewish burial," the statement added.

President Trump released his 20-point plan to end the Gaza war in September. The 20 remaining hostages were freed from captivity in Gaza on Oct. 13.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration formally launched the second phase of the plan, shifting from a ceasefire framework toward a post-ceasefire political and security phase for Gaza.

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff warned that Hamas must fully comply with its obligations under the agreement, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage.

"The U.S. expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage," Witkoff wrote on X on Jan. 14. "Failure to do so will bring serious consequences."

Fox News Digital's Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he would join President Donald Trump’s new Board of Peace, after previously criticizing the makeup of its executive committee.

Netanyahu confirmed that he would join the newly established Board of Peace, which the Trump administration says will supervise the next phase of the Gaza peace plan.

The Israeli prime minister's announcement comes after he initially pushed back on Trump's proposal, following the inclusion of Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi as appointed members to a separate "Gaza Executive Board."

Netanyahu’s office said that move was not coordinated with Israel and "runs contrary to its policy."

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU PUSHES BACK ON 'FAKE SPINS' SUGGESTING TENSION BETWEEN HIM AND TRUMP

The announcement coincides with Trump's trip to the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where he is expected to provide more details about the board. Fox News confirmed that the president is planning to arrange a signing ceremony for the Gaza Board of Peace during his visit.

On Tuesday, when asked if the board should replace the United Nations, Trump said, "It might."

Trump said that the world body "hasn’t been very helpful" and "has never lived up to its potential," but added that the U.N. should continue to exist "because the potential is so great."

UN SECURITY COUNCIL BACKS TRUMP'S GAZA PEACE PLAN AFTER WALTZ CALLS TERRITORY 'HELL ON EARTH'

On Jan. 16, the White House said the Board of Peace will play an "essential role" in carrying out all 20 points of the president’s Gaza plan, including providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.

Dozens of countries have been invited, with notices going out over the weekend, according to officials, including Belarus, China, Ukraine, India, Canada, Argentina, Jordan, Egypt, Hungary and Vietnam, among others.

Others, including the executive arm of the European Union, confirmed that they have received invitations but have not responded.

On Monday, Trump confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin received an invitation to join the new board.

The Kremlin said Putin had received the invitation and was "studying the details," adding it will seek clarity on "all the nuances" in communications with the U.S. government.

France also received an invitation, but does not plan to join "at this stage," according to a French official close to President Emmanuel Macron.

The White House has said Trump will chair the Board of Peace and be joined by senior political, diplomatic and business figures, including Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and billionaire Marc Rowan.

Fox News Digital's Landon Mion, Ashley Carnahan, Gillian Turner and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Israel is watching Iran and is sending a blunt warning to the regime, which is facing international pressure over growing protests.

"We are in high readiness," Israeli United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters. "We are ready with our defense capability, and we're ready with our offensive capabilities... We would advise Iran not to test our capabilities."

Danon also said that Israel was aware of where Iran is keeping its ballistic missiles, something Tehran used against Jerusalem during the 12-day war in June 2025.

In June 2025, Israel started "Operation Rising Lion," which was aimed at destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities. The U.S. ultimately got involved and launched "Operation Midnight Hammer," in which it destroyed Iran’s Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities.

IRAN LOCKS NATION INTO ‘DARKER’ DIGITAL BLACKOUT, VIEWING INTERNET AS AN ‘EXISTENTIAL THREAT’

The diplomat said that what happened over the summer was a "partial" showing of Israel's capabilities, though he did not elaborate on the point.

Danon told reporters that it would ultimately be up to the U.S. to decide what and whether this could happen and that Israel would "respect that decision."

"Our position is very clear, it is a decision of the United States. We are ready," Danon said. "We will not tell the U.S. if they should do it or not do it and when to do it."

The diplomat also implied that the U.S. could be ready to come to Israel's aid, saying that if Iran were to attack Israel that "the U.S. or somebody else will attack them."

When asked about Danon's remarks, a White House official told Fox News Digital that the president was watching the situation in Iran very seriously and that all options remained on the table. The official also credited the president's threats for a series of cancelled executions.

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM BOOTS IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER FROM DAVOS SUMMIT AMID DEADLY CRACKDOWN ON PROTESTERS

On Tuesday, Iran warned President Donald Trump not to take action against its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand, but also we will set fire to their world," Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesman for Iran’s armed forces, said, according to The Associated Press.

The remarks came in response to Trump's call for "new leadership in Iran." He made the comment in an interview with Politico and told the outlet that Khamenei "is a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people."

Since the protests in Iran began in late December, both the U.S. and Israel have expressed support for the civilians taking to the streets. President Donald Trump threatened that if the regime met protesters with violence, the U.S. would act. However, the U.S. has yet to intervene, and the president has signaled that he has held off on military strikes because of canceled executions.

"I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed a similar message to reporters, saying that all options remained on the table. She told reporters at a White House briefing that Trump told Iran "if the killing continues, there will be grave consequences."

IRAN STATE TV HACKED TO SHOW EXILED CROWN PRINCE PAHLAVI

Israel has been open about its support for the people of Iran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying on Jan. 11 that the country was "closely monitoring" what was taking place. He also vowed that once Iran was "liberated from the yoke of tyranny" Israel would be prepared to be a partner in peace.

"Israel is closely monitoring the events unfolding in Iran. The protests for freedom have spread throughout the country. The people of Israel, and the entire world, stand in awe of the immense bravery of Iran's citizens. Israel supports their struggle for freedom and firmly condemns the mass killings of innocent civilians," Netanyahu said at the beginning of his weekly cabinet meeting.

"We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be liberated from the yoke of tyranny, and when that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be faithful partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both nations," he added.

Iran has also linked the U.S. and Israel to the protests. On Jan. 16, an Iranian ambassador said that both the U.S. and Israel were responsible for instilling "political destabilization, internal unrest and chaos." The representative also blamed the U.S. and Israel for "the innocent blood that has been shed in my country."

Days before the diplomat made his comments, the Iranian mission to the U.N. said on X, "The satanic plot hatched by the United States and the Zionist regime to fragment Iran and to engineer an internal civil war will be neutralized through the national solidarity of the Government and the people of Iran, the ignominy of which will remain upon them."

Iranian officials frequently use the phrase "Zionist regime" to refer to Israel.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which tracks unrest in Iran, reported on Monday that the number of confirmed fatalities reached 4,029 since the protests began. The agency said at least 5,811 people were severely injured and that 26,015 people had been arrested during the protests.

Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department and the Iranian Mission to the U.N. for comment.

President Donald Trump has suggested his proposed "Board of Peace" in Gaza could replace the U.N., underscoring what one national security analyst has described as a revision of the "existing international order."

Asked Tuesday whether he envisioned the new body supplanting the U.N., Trump replied, "It might."

Speaking at a White House press conference, the president also told reporters the U.N. has consistently failed to fulfill its mission.

"The UN just hasn’t been very helpful. I’m a big fan of the UN, but it has never lived up to its potential," Trump said. While arguing the U.N. should continue to exist, he added, "The UN should have settled every one of the wars that I settled."

TRUMP’S PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH IN 2025: WHERE WARS STOPPED AND RIVALS CAME TO THE TABLE

National security analyst Kobi Michael claimed the proposal already signaled a break with the international order that has defined global politics for decades.

"The norms, international institutions and organizations and liberalism are out, and real politics, interests and power are in," Prof. Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, told Fox News Digital, before adding that "the EU is much less important."

Michael's comments come as the Trump administration moved forward with plans for the board, an initiative officials say extends far beyond the immediate conflict in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement Jan. 16, the White House said, in alignment with the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, the "Board of Peace will play an essential role in fulfilling all 20 points of the President’s plan, providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development."

US OFFICIALS TOUT PROGRESS IN TALKS TO REACH 'LASTING AND DURABLE PEACE' BETWEEN UKRAINE, RUSSIA

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, preparations are said to be underway for a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland with Bloomberg first reporting the plans.

"Dozens" of countries were invited, officials confirmed, with formal invitations sent Friday. Trump extended invitations to leaders from Russia, Belarus, China, Ukraine, India, Canada, Argentina, Jordan, Egypt, Hungary, and Vietnam, among others.

The White House said Trump will chair the Board of Peace and be joined by senior political, diplomatic and business figures, including Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and billionaire Marc Rowan.

According to Michael, the initiative reflects a new approach to the international system.

"We are talking about something which is much bigger than the Gaza Strip," he said, before describing "a revisionist approach of President Trump regarding the existing international order, where the board is a tool in his vision of changing the existing international order."

Michael said Iran sits at the center of that calculation, as protests engulfed the country amid economic and political pressure.

UN CHIEF ACCUSES US OF DITCHING INTERNATIONAL LAW AS TRUMP BLASTS GLOBAL BODIES

"Iran is the real game changer, and we are in front of a very significant and dramatic change, well coordinated with Prime Minister Netanyahu," he said.

Russia’s role on the board is uncertain, with the Trump administration extending invitations to Russia and Belarus, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirming President Vladimir Putin is reviewing the offer.

Michael suggested Moscow’s participation would come with conditions. "If Putin is in it, it will be in order to finish the Ukrainian war and be forced to give up on some major demands," he said. 

"The president invited Putin to join the board basing an understanding with him about division of power and influence, promising him to relieve sanctions and cut a deal."

"Still, alliances are out, whereas allies and regional structures are in," Michael added.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.

Kurz nach den Anschlägen vom 11. September 2001 befand sich der damalige US-Vier-Sterne-General Wesley Clark, zu diesem Zeitpunkt NATO-Oberbefehlshaber im Kosovo-Krieg, zu Gesprächen im Pentagon.

Clark berichtete später öffentlich, dass er dort auf ein internes Dokument aufmerksam gemacht worden sei, das eine Liste von Staaten enthielt, gegen die in den folgenden Jahren militärische Maßnahmen geplant gewesen seien.

Auf Nachfrage bei militärischen und politischen Entscheidungsträgern, darunter dem damaligen US-Verteidigungsminister Donald Rumsfeld, sei ihm mitgeteilt worden, dass es Pläne gebe, innerhalb von fünf Jahren gegen sieben Länder vorzugehen: Irak, Syrien, Libyen, Libanon, Somalia, Sudan und Iran. Laut Clark bestand kein direkter Zusammenhang dieser Liste mit den Anschlägen vom 11. September; es habe sich um eine strategische Planung gehandelt.

In den darauffolgenden Jahren kam es tatsächlich zu militärischen Interventionen oder Regimewechseln in mehreren der genannten Staaten, darunter im Irak (2003), in Libyen (2011) und in Syrien (ab 2011). Andere Länder der Liste sind bis heute von Konflikten, Sanktionen oder politischer Instabilität betroffen.

Iran blieb bislang das einzige Land der genannten Gruppe ohne direkte militärische Intervention der USA.Vor diesem Hintergrund wird auch die jüngste US-amerikanische Operation in Venezuela von Kritikern in einen größeren geopolitischen Kontext gestellt. Venezuela verfügt über die weltweit größten bestätigten Erdölreserven.

Der jüngste Zugriff der USA führte zu gewaltsamen Auseinandersetzungen, bei denen mehrere Angehörige venezolanischer Sicherheitskräfte ums Leben kamen, sowie zur Festsetzung des venezolanischen Präsidenten. Juristen und Völkerrechtler bewerten die Aktion als völkerrechtswidrig, da kein internationales Mandat vorlag.

Öffentliche Unterstützung für das Vorgehen kam unter anderem aus Israel. Der israelische Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netanyahu gratulierte US-Präsident Donald Trump auf der Plattform X zu der Operation und lobte dessen Führung und Entschlossenheit. Die Äußerung wurde international zur Kenntnis genommen und unterschiedlich bewertet.

Parallel dazu eskalierten in Iran zuletzt landesweite Proteste. Auslöser waren unter anderem der starke Wertverlust der Landeswährung, hohe Inflation und wirtschaftliche Notlagen. Es kam zu Zusammenstößen zwischen Demonstrierenden und Sicherheitskräften, bei denen Tote und Verletzte gemeldet wurden. Vertreter der USA und Israels äußerten öffentlich Sympathie für die Protestbewegung. US-Präsident Trump erklärte, die Vereinigten Staaten würden reagieren, sollte es zu weiteren Todesopfern unter Demonstrierenden kommen.Die iranische Regierung wirft den USA und Israel vor, zur Eskalation der Unruhen beizutragen.

Zur Begründung verweist Teheran auch auf historische Erfahrungen. Der iranische Geheimdienst SAVAK, der unter dem Schah-Regime tätig war, wurde 1957 nach dem Sturz des demokratisch gewählten Premierministers Mossadegh im Rahmen der Operation Ajax gegründet. Aufbau, Ausbildung und Arbeitsweise des SAVAK erfolgten mit Unterstützung der CIA und des israelischen Geheimdienstes Mossad.

Der SAVAK war für umfassende Überwachung, Folter und die Verfolgung politischer Opposition verantwortlich. Diese Vergangenheit prägt bis heute das iranische Verhältnis zu westlichen Staaten.

Zusätzlich belastet wird die Lage durch frühere israelische Militäraktionen gegen iranische Ziele sowie gezielte Tötungen politischer Akteure in Teheran. Beobachter sehen darin eine Kontinuität regionaler Spannungen.

Analysten verweisen darauf, dass die von Clark geschilderten Planungen aus dem Jahr 2001 in Teilen umgesetzt wurden. Die aktuellen Entwicklungen in Venezuela und Iran werden daher von einigen Experten als Teil längerfristiger geopolitischer Strategien interpretiert, während westliche Regierungen die Ereignisse jeweils als voneinander unabhängige Reaktionen auf aktuelle Krisen darstellen.

+++

Wir danken dem Autor für das Recht zur Veröffentlichung dieses Beitrags.

+++

Bildquelle: tanitost /shutterstock