Dr Farid Faridasr: ‘External forces creating anarchy, but we can deal with it…Iran is not Venezuela’

But it must be difficult for hundreds of Iranian citizens, including students, living in India to know how their families are doing. Does it add to worry?

The other fallout of internet shutdown is that the ground realities from Tehran can’t reach the world. But it was important this time also to curb activities of anti-national forces and spying elements. As for helping Iranians reach out to their families, the (Iranian) Embassy (in Delhi) has announced that our nationals can come there and talk to their loved ones through a special line. Many are turning up for the same. Even I go to the Embassy to talk to my family in Tabriz, which is among the hardest hit cities in the present crisis.

How many Iranian citizens are there in India, especially in Delhi?

Around 200-300 Iranians are in Delhi, in addition to the 100-odd staff at the Embassy and the Cultural House, and the families of diplomats. Iranian consulates in Mumbai and Pune have also been instructed to facilitate citizens to talk to their loved ones back home.

How do you see the present wave of anti-government protests? Was there an undercurrent?

The latest crisis is an extension of last year’s conflict. When the external forces could not topple the government at that time, they have tried a new tactic this time. They have infiltrated arms from neighbouring countries, and incited people to create anarchy in the name of economic distress. When the security forces and police retaliated in reaction, their agenda got a renewed push. They want Iran to bow down to the superpowers of the world, which hasn’t happened as yet. President Donald Trump has said that Iran’s top leadership has to surrender; everything else is being incited towards that end.

You think common people in Iran have no issues with the regime and everything is external?

There might be a small section of the population that may not approve of everything the present regime is doing. However, protests and freedom of expression are an inherent part of our society, but anarchy is not. That’s doing of external forces.

How do you see things going from here?

There have been no reports of anarchy for the last few days. Internet shutdown has helped calm things down. Those who led the protests have been identified and arrested. But the main threat comes from the statements of the US President threatening to attack us. However, what they have done in Venezuela can’t be replicated with us since Iran is not Venezuela. But the situation will be fragile as long as Trump is America’s President. We are always ready to deal with it.