Conflict
Crisis/Conflict/Terrorism
Iran protests: At least 14 killed; Trump says regime should witness change

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 02 Jan 2018, 07:52 am Print

Iran protests: At least 14 killed; Trump says regime should witness change

Washington/Tehran, Jan 2 (JEN): With the anti-government protests in Iran claiming 14 lives, US President Donald Trump has said the country should now witness a 'change'.

"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. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!," Trump tweeted.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, wished people of Iran to attain success in their 'quest for freedom'.

"The Iranian regime tries desperately to sow hate between Iranians and Israelis. They won't succeed. When this regime finally falls – and one day it will – Iranians and Israelis will be great friends once again. I wish the Iranian people success in their noble quest for freedom," the PM tweeted.

However, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has shown no sign of relenting.

In a televised address on Sunday, he said, "The government will show no tolerance for those who damage public property, violate public order and create unrest in society."

Iranian forces have arrested over a hunded people after anti-government protests gripped the nation in recent times.

What started as a small scale dissent by a group of people in Mashhad, on Thursday, soon spread to other cities too and later swept the nation.

Demonstrators took to the streets in the national capital Tehran, in Rasht, in the north, and Kermanshah, in the west.

Cities like Isfahan, Hamadan also witnessed anti-government sloganeering.

Dissenters were not only protesting against Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his political failures, but also against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Slogans such as 'clerics act like God' were heard.

Protesters also blamed the government for Iran's economic woes and said that people have been 'forced to beg'.

Issues about Iran's constant meddling in other nation's interests were also brought up by demonstrators.