Iran has no regrets as anniversary of protester's death sparks mass arrests

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi blamed the U.S. and other Western countries for the unrest in his country last year, accusing the U.S. of attempting to destabilize Iran.

The Iranian leader's comments come as the anniversary of widespread protests that rocked Iran for roughly six months last year approaches, with NBC News reporting that authorities in the country have already begun a crackdown on activists who may attempt to reignite the issue. Authorities in Iran reportedly detained at least a dozen women's rights activists last month, while Raisi warned in the interview that those who attempt to sow more instability in the country would pay a "big cost."

According to a United States Commission on International Religious Freedom report last week, Iranian authorities had also stepped up efforts to arrest religious leaders in an apparent attempt to crack down on any potential rekindling of demonstrations.