Washington condemns Iran's use of "deadly force" against demonstrators

 

 By Catherine Warren                November 17, 2019

The White House has condemned the use of Iran, which is undergoing protests, "deadly force" against demonstrators during the unrest that killed several people and arrested dozens.

"The United States supports the Iranian people in their peaceful protests against the regime they are supposed to lead. We also condemn the deadly force and the strict restrictions on communications," White House press secretary Stephanie Gresham said in a statement.

US Special Envoy for Iran Brian Hawk said: "The Iranian people are upset with the regime and the petrol protests are just the latest example of injustice."

The Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, had earlier called for the application of the increase in the price of gasoline in Iran, despite the protests.

Khamenei accused those he called "enemies" and "counter-revolution" of carrying out acts of sabotage in the country, noting that rioters and supporters of law violations, in his words, were setting fires.

Khamenei stressed that the increase in the price of gasoline was based on expert opinion and should be supported.

In addition, the Iranian Ministry of Security announced that what it described as rioters in recent days had been revealed in various Iranian cities.

The ministry added that the necessary measures against them are under way and the results will be announced later.

Sanabarq Zahedi, chairman of the judiciary committee of the National Council of Iranian Resistance, said the demonstrations in Iran were the product of regime rule for years.

He added, in an interview with Sky News Arabia, that the ruling authority in Iran, is experiencing a severe crisis in various aspects of political, economic and social life, and that the people want to get rid of this system, he said.

Amid this atmosphere, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told a cabinet meeting that protest was a right for the people, but that it was very different from spreading anarchy.

Rouhani stressed that over the past months, the issue has been how to support the middle and vulnerable segments, noting that the goal of the government, in the livelihood support project, is to deliver assistance to low-income families.