Iran president vows to address economic pain, warns against destabilizing rioters

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said in an interview with Iranian state television that he would try to address widespread economic grievances but that the state had a “duty” not to let “rioters” destabilize the country as nationwide protests continued. The demonstrations began about two weeks ago after a sudden plunge in the value of Iran’s currency and have broadened into a mass movement, with many calling for the overthrow of the clerical rulers.

The Iran Human Rights Organization and HRANA, two U.S.-based rights groups, say at least 192 protesters have died. Authorities have mounted an intensifying and deadly crackdown and senior officials have accused the United States and Israel of supporting the protesters. Mr. Pezeshkian has previously expressed sympathy for people’s economic pain and offered small reforms, though he said those causing disturbances were not protesting citizens and accused the “enemy” of bringing trained terrorists into the country.

The government has imposed a near-total internet blackout for three days and cut international phone calls, making independent assessment difficult. The unrest has drawn international attention: President Trump said in a social media post that the United States “stands ready to help,” and Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned, according to the semi-official Tasnim agency, that U.S.

and Israeli assets could be considered targets if the United States took military action.

Key Topics

World, Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran, Iranian Protests, Internet Blackout, Hrana