India, Jan. 12 -- Iran's government has accused Israel's intelligence agency Mossad of playing a role in fomenting unrest during nationwide protests that have gripped the country. Tehran claims foreign interference, especially from Israel and the US, is behind the turmoil.

Iranian leaders describe the unrest as part of a broader campaign to destabilise the Islamic Republic, amid one of the biggest protest movements in years.

Iranian officials have repeatedly claimed that foreign intelligence agencies are exploiting unrest for political purposes. The Islamic Republic asserts that Mossad agents are embedded within Iran to encourage and direct demonstrations against the government.In statements broadcast on state media, authorities have sa...