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IRAN-UNREST
Iran hit by fifth night of protests
TEHRAN, Jan 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A fifth night of unrest in Iran saw a
policeman killed and sporadic demonstrations in several parts of the country,
local media and online users reported Tuesday, despite moves to crack down on
the biggest protests against the regime in years.
Small groups of protesters ran through the streets of Tehran on Monday
evening, before a heavy police presence restored calm, local agencies said.
The unrest remained focused on provincial towns and cities, although fewer
videos on social media suggested less activity in many areas.
State television said one policeman was killed and three others wounded by
fire from hunting rifles in the city of Najafabad in central Iran.
The latest demonstrations came despite President Hassan Rouhani’s vow that
the nation would deal with “rioters and lawbreakers”.
Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council,
described the unrest — the biggest challenge to the regime since mass
protests in 2009 — as a “proxy war against the Iranian people”.
“Hashtags and messages about the situation in Iran come from the United
States, Britain and Saudi Arabia,” he told local media.
Iran’s intelligence ministry released a statement saying “instigators”
have been identified “and will be dealt with seriously soon”.
The Revolutionary Guards have yet to fully intervene against the
protesters, but published photos on Monday of three wanted people and called
on the public to report any “seditionist elements”.
Rouhani has tried to play down the unrest, which began over economic
grievances in second city Mashhad last Thursday but quickly turned against
the Islamic regime as a whole with chants of “Death to the dictator”.
“This is nothing,” Rouhani said in a statement on the presidency website.
“Our nation will deal with this minority who chant slogans against the law
and people’s wishes, and insult the sanctities and values of the revolution.”
Pro-regime rallies were held across several towns and cities — reflecting
continued support among a large conservative section of society.
A total of 13 people have so far been reported killed in the protests,
including six killed by gunfire in the western town of Tuyserkan on Sunday
and two others shot dead in the southwestern town of Izeh.
Two more, including a teenage boy, were run down and killed by a fire
engine stolen by protesters in the western town of Dorud on Sunday — a story
emphasised on state television.
Reporting restrictions remained tight, but videos on social media
continued to show widespread anti-government protests in many areas.
– ‘People have had enough’ –
A key difference from the last major protest movement in 2009, which began
over allegations of election-rigging, is that the protests have not been
focused on the capital Tehran and are much more dispersed.
Rouhani came to power in 2013 promising to mend the economy and ease
social tensions, but high living costs and a 12 percent unemployment rate
have left many feeling that progress is too slow.
The young are most affected, with as many as 40 percent out of work
according to analysts, and rural areas particularly hard-hit.
“People have had enough, especially the young people. They have nothing to
be happy about,” said Sarita Mohammadi, a 35-year-old teacher in Tehran.
“The situation is far worse in provinces. Agriculture has been destroyed.
I know many who have left the north of the country to come to Tehran to
work,” she added.
Rouhani acknowledged there was “no problem bigger than unemployment” in a
speech on Sunday, and also vowed a more balanced media and more transparency.
– Trump calls for change –
US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticised Tehran over four
days of demonstrations, said it was “time for a change” and that Iran’s
people were “hungry” for freedom.
The European Union Monday pushed Iran to guarantee the right to protest
and separately British foreign minister Boris Johnson said “the UK is
watching events in Iran closely”.
“We believe that there should be meaningful debate about the legitimate
and important issues the protesters are raising and we look to the Iranian
authorities to permit this,” Johnson said in a statement.
In 2009, authorities ruthlessly put down protests against the re-election
of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. At least 36 people were killed in 2009,
according to an official toll, while the opposition says 72 died.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1233 hrs