August M
Iran’s leadership has offered its first public response to widening unrest, as demonstrations driven by economic hardship sweep across the country.
With pressure mounting on the government, authorities have imposed a sweeping communications shutdown while pointing the finger abroad.
Protests expand
Demonstrations that began in Tehran last month have now spread to all 31 of Iran’s provinces, according to reports cited by Sky News.
The protests were initially triggered by a sharp fall in the value of the rial currency, which has lost much of its worth amid prolonged inflation.
Tens of thousands of people have gathered in Tehran and other cities as anger over living costs and economic mismanagement deepened.
The unrest is being described as the most serious challenge to Iran’s leadership in several years.
Official silence broken
State television briefly acknowledged the protests in a short report buried in a morning news bulletin, marking the first official recognition of the unrest.
The report claimed that “people’s private cars, motorcycles, public places such as the metro, fire trucks and buses” had been set on fire and said there had been casualties.
State media blamed the demonstrations on “terrorist agents” linked to the United States and Israel.
Internet blackout
Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide internet shutdown late on Thursday, which continued into Friday, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks.
The blackout also affected international phone calls. Holly Dagras, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, said the internet was cut “to prevent the world from seeing the protests”.
“Unfortunately, it also likely provided cover for security forces to kill protesters,” she added.
Call from exile
Large demonstrations followed a call by Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, for mass protests.
“Great nation of Iran, the eyes of the world are upon you,” he said in a statement.
“Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands.”
After Thursday’s protests, he said: “Iranians demanded their freedom tonight. In response, the regime in Iran has cut all lines of communication.”
Rising toll
The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency said at least 34 protesters and four security personnel had been killed, with around 2,200 arrests.
Sky News said its data and forensics team verified protest footage in 19 provinces, while demonstrations were reported in more than 280 locations.
The collapse of the rial has been stark. At the time of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, $1 traded at 32,000 rials. This week, it fell to 1.46 million rials, a record low.
Sources: Sky News
