Iranian state television has referred for the first time to the massive protests that are shaking the country, blaming "terrorist elements" supported by the US and Israel for instigating the incidents.
The brief report, which aired on a morning show at 8:00 a.m. (local time), states that the protests caused violence that led to casualties, without specifying their number.
The same report pointed out that during the protests, "private cars, motorcycles, public spaces such as the metro, fire trucks and buses" were set on fire.
It is recalled that the Iranian government has proceeded to block the internet and international telephone calls, making it difficult for foreign media to communicate with citizens within the Iranian Republic.
The protests and questioning of authority in Iran that began 13 days ago are constantly increasing in intensity, as shown by videos from last night that are circulating on the internet.
A crowd of protesters flooded a major highway in northwest Tehran on Thursday evening, according to videos posted on social media, the authenticity of which was verified by Agence France-Presse.
The images show many protesters on foot and others honking their horns from cars occupying part of Ayatollah Kassani Avenue. Persian television networks based outside Iran and other social media outlets also broadcast images of large demonstrations in other cities, including Tabriz, in the north, and the holy city of Mashhad, in the east.
Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah of Iran, posted on X that “millions of Iranians demanded their freedom tonight.” The exiled man, considered by many to be the leading figure of the Iranian opposition, even called on the country’s citizens to continue the mobilization at 20:00 p.m. (local time) on Friday.
The protests, which have spread to several cities, include large marches in Tehran and other areas. According to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency, at least 34 protesters and four police officers have been killed, while 2.200 protesters have been arrested. Other NGOs report higher casualties, exceeding 40.
At the same time, former US President Donald Trump repeated yesterday his threat to "hit Iran hard" if government forces kill protesters participating in the protests, which are mainly related to the economic crisis in the country.
Source: protothema.gr
