Addressing a parliamentary session on Monday, Qalibaf highlighted the defeat of an American-Zionist sedition against Iran that took advantage of the peaceful protests to trigger violent riots in the country.
He lashed out at US President Donald Trump, who told POLITICO on Saturday that Iran is the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of what he called poor leadership.
Qalibaf said the courageous and prudent leadership of Iran and the insightfulness of nation proved that “Iran is the unsafest place in the world for terrorists and traitors,” adding that such reality has frustrated the US president and prompted him to show contradictory reactions in anger.
He also praised Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei for drawing a distinction between protestors and rioters, saying such wise leadership restored calm in the country.
In remarks on January 17, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the recent sedition and riots that caused public distress and inflicted damage on the country, characterizing the nature of this sedition as American.
The Leader also described the statements of the US president—who referred to the destructive rioters and murderers as the Iranian nation—as a great slander against the people, stating, "The US president openly encouraged the rioters, and behind the scenes, the US and the Zionist regime provided them with assistance; therefore, we consider the US president a criminal, both for the casualties and damage, and for the slander he leveled against the Iranian nation."