“Iran protests”: Pezeshkian calls for non-aggression against demonstrators

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday called on law enforcement agencies not to use violence against protesters, stressing the right of citizens to peacefully express their views.

This came during official statements he made on the sidelines of a government meeting, at a time when protests continue in several Iranian cities over social and political issues.

Pezeshkian said the government is fulfilling its responsibilities towards citizens and is striving to ensure public safety and the right to expression, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid any escalation that would worsen the current situation.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Iran that it would be “hit very hard” if more protesters were killed during the protests, which have entered their second week, over deteriorating living conditions.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: “We are watching the situation very closely. If they start killing people like they have done in the past, I think they are going to get a very strong hit from the United States.”

On the economic front, the Iranian rial hit a new record low against the dollar last Sunday, according to the unofficial black market rate, with the price of one dollar exceeding 1.4 million rials, compared to about 820,000 rials a year ago.

Shafaq.com