Violent protests against inflation in Iran have spiraled out of control, with the renowned American magazine Time claiming that the death toll during clashes has reached 217.
Anti-government protests in Iran have intensified further since last night, as severe clashes erupted between protesters and security personnel in several cities. During the protests, demonstrators carried out widespread vandalism in multiple areas.
According to reports, protesters damaged 26 banks, 25 mosques, two hospitals, and 48 fire trucks, while government buildings and police stations were also attacked, resulting in injuries to several security personnel.
Media reports said that violent protesters also attacked ambulances and set buses and civilians’ vehicles on fire. Security forces have so far arrested approximately 2,500 people, while internet services remain suspended.
Speaking to Time magazine on condition of anonymity, a doctor in Tehran said that 217 protester deaths were confirmed in only six hospitals in the capital, with most of the victims killed by gunshot wounds. However, Iranian authorities have not yet confirmed the death toll.
According to the American magazine, the Washington, DC-based Human Rights Activist News Agency reported that at least 63 people have been killed so far, including 49 civilians.
Khamenei Says Rioters Want to Please Trump by Damaging Property
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that American hands are stained with Iranian blood and that some rioters are damaging public property to please Trump. He stated unequivocally that Iran will not tolerate mercenaries.
Ayatollah Khamenei urged Iranians to maintain unity and advised the US president to focus on his own country’s problems.
Iran Calls on United Nations to Stop Global Interference
Iran has urged the United Nations to protect state sovereignty and prevent foreign interference. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that American statements on Iran’s internal matters constitute interference and deception.
Foreign Elements Tried to Turn Protests Violent: Iranian Ambassador
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said that foreign-backed elements attempted to turn the protests violent. He stated that foreign interference violates the principles of state sovereignty and added that Iran has faced conspiracies many times in its history and emerged successful each time.
The Iranian ambassador said that the majority of Iranian people stand with the state and security institutions and that the Iranian nation will defeat every conspiracy alongside its civilization and leadership.
