Iran president accuses US, Israel as protests turn violent; at least 200 killed
Iranian President Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of orchestrating unrest, even as he acknowledged public grievances and warned against rioters. Protests, initially economic, have evolved into a challenge to the theocratic system, with rights groups reporting a rising death toll and detentions amid an internet blackout.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday accused the United States and Israel of seeking to destabilise Iran by orchestrating unrest, even as he said the government would listen to public grievances while warning against what he described as violent rioters.“The US and Israel want to sow chaos and disorder in Iran by ordering riots,” Pezeshkian said, calling on Iranians to distance themselves from “rioters and terrorists,” according to remarks carried by Reuters.
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His comments came as protests driven initially by economic anger entered their third week, evolving into a direct challenge to Iran’s theocratic system and drawing a forceful response from state authorities.
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203 killed in Iran protest violence; activists warn toll may be higher
Violence linked to nationwide protests in Iran has killed at least 203 people, activists said on Sunday, amid an ongoing internet blackout that has made it difficult to independently assess the scale of the unrest.The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said 162 of those killed were protesters, while 41 were members of the security forces. The group warned that the actual toll could be higher as phone lines remain cut and access to information is restricted.
Iranian authorities have not released any official nationwide casualty figures.
‘We should sit with them’
In an interview aired on Iranian state television on Sunday, Pezeshkian struck a dual tone, acknowledging public frustration while drawing a firm line against violence.“People have concerns, we should sit with them and if it is our duty, we should resolve their concerns,” Pezeshkian said. “But the higher duty is not to allow a group of rioters to come and destroy the entire society.”The interview, recorded earlier, had been expected to air on Saturday but was broadcast a day later. The remarks reflected a hardening stance from the reformist president, who has so far struggled to contain public anger over Iran’s worsening economy.
Rising death toll and detentions
Rights groups say the crackdown on demonstrations has turned increasingly deadly. Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based organisation, said at least 192 protesters have been killed since the unrest began, warning that the true toll could be higher.“Since the start of the protests, Iran Human Rights has confirmed the killing of at least 192 protesters,” the group said, adding that the deaths “may be even more extensive than we currently imagine”.A separate US-based group, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, said it had confirmed 116 deaths, including 37 members of the security forces, and reported that around 2,600 people had been detained.