Iran has witnessed violent demonstrations that left at least 21 people dead in protest against economic hardship before it gradually turned into a rejection of the Islamic regime, reports AFP news agency.
The wave of protests in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city, on December 28 quickly spread, the biggest in the country under tight surveillance since violent protests following a disputed election in 2009.
The following is a summary of the events since:
– First demonstrations –
On December 28, a few hundred protesters gathered in Mashhad (northeast) and other cities to protest against the high cost of living in response to a call that was supposed to have been made through the application of Telegram for encrypted communications.
Reformist media reported videos of protesters demonstrating their anger against President Hassan Rowhani and chanting slogans attacking the entire regime and criticizing the government’s involvement in regional conflicts rather than focusing on domestic issues.
– The breadth of demonstrations –
On December 29, more demonstrations took place in more cities, including Kermanshah in the west and the city of Qom (north), where demonstrators chanted slogans including “Death to the dictator” and “Release political prisoners.”
He accused the First Vice-President Yitzhak Jahangiri opponents of the Rouhani government to stand behind the protests, stressing that “some events that occurred in the country was on the pretext of economic problems, but there seems to be something else behind.”
– Warnings, violence and rallies –
On December 30, tens of thousands of people rallied in the streets in demonstrations marking the end of the massive protest movement that came out against the re-election of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009.
Interior Minister Abdul Rida Rahmani Fadhli appealed to citizens not to participate in “illegal gatherings”.
But the demonstrations have grown more and more. There were clashes in Tehran, where video footage showed protesters attacking a municipal building, turning a police car and burning the Iranian flag.
– 10 dead at night –
On December 31, the authorities issued further warnings. Officials spoke of 200 arrests in demonstrations in Tehran and 80 in Arak, about 300 kilometers away.
The authorities sought to prevent further demonstrations and blocked Internet text messaging services, including Telegram.
Rohani said residents had “absolute freedom” to express their anger, saying that “criticism does not mean violence and destruction of public property.”
But the violence continued as more videos were posted on social networking sites for demonstrations across the country.
Iranian media and officials said 10 people were killed in overnight protests in several parts of the country.
On January 1, 2018, Rouhani announced that the Iranian people would respond to “troublemakers and outlaws”, calling the protesters “a small minority … insulting the sacred and revolutionary values.”
US President Donald Trump said “the time for change is coming” in Iran.
On Monday evening, rallies were held in Tehran and state television announced the killing of a policeman and the wounding of three others by shooting from hunting rifles in the central city of Najafabad.
– More dead and arrests –
On January 2, nine people, including a police officer, were killed in violence on Monday night, state television said.
Six people were killed in the town of Khedhirijan in the central province of Isfahan when demonstrators tried to storm a police station, state television reported.
A local official said 450 people had been detained in Tehran since Saturday in protest-related violence.
– “Enemies” –
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his silence on the events. “In the days of the last days, the enemies have united with their means, money, weapons, politics and the security apparatus, to provoke the problems of the Islamic regime,” he said.
Trump said the demonstrators were moving against Tehran’s “brutal and corrupt” regime.
For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterich expressed his hope that “the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful assembly and expression” will be respected.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nicky Hailey has called for emergency meetings of the Security Council in New York and the Human Rights Council in Geneva to discuss developments in Iran.
Rohani called his French counterpart Emmanuel Macaron, demanding action against the activities of an Iranian “terrorist group” based in France, and was involved in recent demonstrations.
Iran accuses the PMOI of fomenting violence and association with Saudi Arabia, its arch-rival.
McCron called for “restraint and calm”.
– Define the supporters of the regime –
On January 3, tens of thousands of government supporters rallied across the country after several reports of anti-regime demonstrations taking place overnight.
State television broadcast live footage of rallies, especially in Ahwaz (southwest), Arak (central), Illam (west), Kermanshah (west) and Ghargan (west).
Rohani told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan by telephone that the protests would end within a few days.