Tehran, Jan 1: In the biggest challenge to the authority of the Tehran regime since mass protests in 2009, anti-government protests over corruption, rising food and fuel prices as well as unemployment continued for the fourth day Monday claiming at least 12 lives, the state media reported.
The anti-government protests continued despite an appeal for calm by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday, the state-run IRNA reported. Rouhani said that citizens were “completely free to express their criticism of the government or stage protests… in a way that would lead to the improvement of the country’s conditions” but warned against violent acts. He played down the significance of the protests on Monday, as the country’s leadership struggled to respond to the largely spontaneous uprisings.
“Our great nation has witnessed a number of similar incidents in the past and has comfortably dealt with them. This is nothing,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Iranian MPs. In a nod to the concerns fuelling the protests, he added: “We have no bigger challenge than unemployment. Our economy requires major corrective surgery.”
Time for change in Iran: Trump
Washington: US President Donald Trump Monday said it is “time for change” in Iran which is “failing at every level”, as the nationwide deadly protests against the government claimed 12 lives. “Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration. The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years,” Trump tweeted, attacking the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran. “They are hungry for food and for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!” Trump said. At least 12 people have been killed in the nationwide protests in Iran.
