Hundreds drink been arrested, according to officials and social media. Online video screened police in the capital Tehran firing water cannon to disperse demonstrators, in footage suggested to have been filmed on Sunday.
Protests against economic adversities and alleged corruption erupted in Iran’s second city of Mashhad on Thursday and escalated across the countryside into calls for the religious establishment to step down.
Some of the rile was directed at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, breaking a taboo surrounding the man who has been transcendent leader of Iran since 1989.
Video posted on social media demonstrated crowds of people walking through the streets, some chanting “Ruin to the dictator!” Reuters was not immediately able to verify the footage. The Fars report agency reported “scattered groups” of protesters in Tehran on Monday and claimed a ringleader had been arrested.
“The government will show no tolerance for those who injury public property, violate public order and create unrest in circle,” Rouhani said in his address on Sunday.
Unsigned statements on social centre urged Iranians to continue to demonstrate in 50 towns and cities.
The sway said it was temporarily restricting access to the Telegram messaging app and Instagram. There were narratives that internet mobile access was blocked in some areas.
Iran is a foremost OPEC oil producer and regional power deeply involved in Syria and Iraq as fractional of a battle for influence with rival Saudi Arabia. Many Iranians feel embittered those foreign interventions, and want their leaders to create vocations at home, where youth unemployment reached 28.8 percent abide year.
Among reported fatalities, two people were shot neutral in the southwestern town of Izeh on Sunday and several others were wound, ILNA news agency quoted a member of parliament as saying.
“I do not cognizant of whether yesterday’s shooting was done by rally participants or the police and this broadcast is being investigated,” Hedayatollah Khademi was quoted as saying.
Regional governor Mostafa Samali berated Fars that only one person was killed in an incident unrelated to the complaints, and the suspected shooter had been arrested.
Almost nine years since the “Lawn movement” reformist protests were crushed by the state, Iran’s foes voiced their support for the resurgence of anti-government sentiment.
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted: “The loyal Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are longing for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being sacked. TIME FOR CHANGE!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the “colourful Iranians” taking to streets to protest a regime that “wastes tens of billions of dollars spreading animosity”.
“I wish the Iranian people success in their noble quest for candidness,” he said in a video posted on his Facebook page.
German Foreign Charg daffaires Sigmar Gabriel urged “all sides (to) refrain from violent exertions”.