The United States is attempting to turn the Asia-Pacific region into a powder keg to sustain its hegemony and selfish interests, said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
Zhang made the statement in response to media reports about the U.S. defense secretary's call for the development of the 2025 version of the national defense strategy, with a focus on deterring China in the region, and the U.S. military plan to establish a large pre-positioned stockpile in Subic Bay of the Philippines by 2026.
"In sustaining its hegemony and selfish interests, the United States has repeatedly made an issue of China and attempted to turn the Asia-Pacific region into a powder keg and certain countries into cannon fodder, which seriously impairs the safety and well-being of the people in countries in the region. Facts have proven time and again that it may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal. We advise relevant countries not to invite a wolf into their house, nor to act as chess pieces, as this would disrupt the hard-won peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," Zhang said.
US attempts to turn Asia-Pacific into powder keg: spokesman
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
