Special Report To Interview Iran Foreign Minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appears tonight on Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Baier in an exclusive interview, defending the regime's violent crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests while blaming external forces—including alleged Israeli involvement—for the bloodshed and warning that Iran is "ready for war" if tested by the U.S.

The segment aired at 6 PM ET, amid escalating unrest that began in late December 2025 over economic woes and has spread to all 31 provinces, with protesters chanting against the leadership and calling for regime change. Activist groups and reports estimate protester deaths in the thousands—ranging from over 2,000 (per some sources like Iran International and HRANA) to as high as 3,000 or more (with unverified claims reaching 12,000–20,000 amid an ongoing internet blackout limiting independent verification). Iranian state media has acknowledged heavy losses among security forces, labeling them "martyrs," while the regime attributes violence to "terrorist elements" infiltrating crowds and targeting both protesters and forces.

Iranian foreign minister warns Trump not to 'repeat the same mistake' https://t.co/bXIKCLaxaC #FoxNews

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) January 14, 2026

In the interview, Araghchi claimed the situation was under control, repeated accusations that "terrorist elements" were responsible for deaths, and suggested foreign actors (including Israel arming protesters or staging incidents) were provoking chaos to draw U.S. intervention. 

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi: 'Terrorist elements from the outside' wanted to drag Trump into this conflict https://t.co/fPzqe9pqwB #FoxNews

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) January 14, 2026

He expressed openness to dialogue with Washington but rejected threats, reiterated Iran's refusal to abandon nuclear enrichment (echoing his 2025 comments to Baier framing it as a "national pride" achievement despite facility damage from prior strikes), and affirmed readiness for conflict if the U.S. acts militarily. 

The discussion also touched on ongoing back-channel communications with U.S. envoys and broader regional dynamics.

The interview sparked immediate backlash online, with critics calling it irresponsible to platform an Iranian official amid the crackdown—comparisons to interviewing authoritarian figures during atrocities—and urging viewers to contact Fox News in protest. Others saw value in hearing Tehran's unfiltered perspective during a volatile crisis.