Key facts
- Dozens protested outside a foreign ministry office in Mashhad, Iran, chanting slogans against top diplomat Abbas Araghchi.
- The protests followed Araghchi's televised interview discussing a potential peace deal with the US.
- Hardline Iranian figures oppose the deal, arguing it is not in Iran's interest and involves too many concessions.
- The proposed deal reportedly includes the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
- Protests also took place in Tehran, with demonstrators calling for Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to resign.
Dozens of protesters gathered outside a foreign ministry office in Iran's northeastern city of Mashhad, chanting slogans against top diplomat Abbas Araghchi following a televised interview where he discussed a potential peace deal with the United States. Videos shared by Fars news agency showed women chanting "death to dishonourable Araghchi, the infiltrator" and waving flags in front of the building.
The protests come amid opposition from hardline Iranian figures who argue that the prospective peace deal, touted by US President Donald Trump and mediator Pakistan, does not serve Iran's interests and involves excessive concessions. These figures also contend that the deal would diminish Tehran's leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.
In his interview, Araghchi stated that the proposed deal would involve the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, which was imposed in response to Iran's own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Other social media videos, which could not be independently verified, showed people in Tehran chanting "Araghchi, resign" and "Ghalibaf, resign," referring to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also a chief negotiator.