President Hassan Rouhani has condemned violent protests against the rise in prices and rationing of gasoline. At the same time he expressed understanding for the anger of the people over the measure of the government.
Commenting on Friday’s nationwide demonstrations, the president said, „Protesting is the legitimate right of citizens, but vandalism is something else altogether.“ Rouhani is seen as more moderate within the Iranian leadership and is being severely attacked by hardliners.
In the riots two people have been killed so far, according to official figures, a police officer and a civilian. More than 1,000 people were arrested.
Internet „limited“
What is actually going on in Iran, however, can hardly be traced since Saturday afternoon. That’s when the government blocked the internet. According to the Iranian Telecommunications Ministry, the network was „limited“ for 24 hours on the instructions of the National Security Council.
This meant that protesters could no longer deny themselves and spread images of possible anti-government rallies, riots and clashes with security forces. However, the measure did not appear to have had the desired calming effect.
According to a dpa correspondent, the internet was still closed for most Iranians more than 24 hours after the shutdown last night. Netblocks, a non-governmental organization registering blockages on the Internet, confirmed on its website that the network is still largely shut down in Iran.
