'Confused Clown’: Iran Foreign Minister Hits Back At Zelenskyy After Iran Protest Remarks

Last Updated:January 24, 2026, 19:07 IST

Abbas Araghchi called Volodymyr Zelensky a confused clown after Zelensky accused Iran’s leadership of killing its own people.

Abbas Araghchi called Volodymyr Zelensky a confused clown after Zelensky accused Iran’s leadership of killing its own people. (Images: Reuters)

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday launched a sharp personal attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, days after Zelensky accused Iran’s leadership of killing its own people to cling to power.

Responding on X, Araghchi dismissed Zelensky as a “confused clown" and accused him of exploiting Western support. “The world has had enough of Confused Clowns, Mr. Zelensky," Araghchi wrote, claiming the Ukrainian leader had been “rinsing American and European taxpayers to fill the pockets of his corrupt generals."

He added that Iranians knew how to defend themselves and had “no need to beg foreigners for help."

Zelensky made the remarks that drew Tehran’s ire while speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Thursday. Referring to unrest in Iran, he said that if the country’s clerical leadership survives the violence, it would send a dangerous message globally.

“If the regime survives, it sends a clear signal to every bully kill enough people, and you stay in power," Zelensky said.

Ukraine has been battling a full-scale Russian invasion for nearly four years. Iran is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the two countries moved last week to further strengthen bilateral ties. Ukraine and Western governments have accused Iran of supplying drones and ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the war, allegations Tehran has repeatedly denied.

Zelensky also criticised what he described as Western inaction over the violence in Iran. “There was so much talk about the protests in Iran but they drowned in blood. The world has not helped enough the Iranian people; it has stood aside," he said, speaking in English.

He claimed that by the time politicians returned from Christmas and New Year holidays, “the ayatollah has already killed thousands."

Iranian authorities have said more than 3,000 people were killed during protests against the Islamic Republic, but insist the unrest was backed by the United States and Israel. Human rights groups dispute the official figures, estimating the death toll could be as high as 20,000, and say verification has been severely hampered by a prolonged internet shutdown in Iran.

News world 'Confused Clown’: Iran Foreign Minister Hits Back At Zelenskyy After Iran Protest Remarks

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