Boris Johnson expresses concern over events in Iran

Boris Johnson

London, Riyadh Daily, December 31, 2017 - British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson expressed his country's concern over events in Iran.

According to his official Twitter account, Johnson said: 'We are
watching events in Iran with concern. It is vital that Iranian citizens
should have the right to demonstrate peacefully'.

Iran shuts down social media as two die in protests

An Iranian woman defiantly raises her fist amid the smoke from tear gas during a protest at the University of Tehran over economic problems on December 30

FRANCE 24, December 31, 2017-- Iran blocked access to Instagram and the encrypted messaging app Telegram on Sunday as authorities said two demonstrators were killed overnight, the first deaths in the largest demonstrations Iran has seen since a disputed 2009 election.

Iran on Sunday blocked access to Instagram and a popular messaging app used by activists to organize and publicize the protests now roiling the Islamic Republic, as authorities said two demonstrators had been killed overnight in the first deaths attributed to the rallies.

The demonstrations, which began Thursday over the economic woes plaguing Iran and continued Sunday, appear to be the largest to strike the Islamic Republic since the protests that followed the country's disputed 2009 presidential election.

They were fanned in part by messages sent on the Telegram messaging app, which authorities blocked Sunday along with the photo-sharing app Instagram, which is owned by tech giant Facebook.

Many in Iran are learning about the protests and sharing images of them through Telegram, a mobile phone messaging app popular among the country's 80 million people. On Saturday, Telegram shut down one channel on the service over Iranian allegations it encouraged violence, something its moderator denied.

On Sunday, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov wrote on Twitter that authorities had blocked access to the app.

'Iranian authorities are blocking access to Telegram for the majority of Iranians after our public refusal to shut down ... peacefully protesting channels,' he wrote.

Iran's state TV news website, iribnews.ir, quoted an anonymous source saying that social media in Iran would be temporarily limited as a safety measure.

'With a decision by the Supreme National Security Council, activities of Telegram and Instagram are temporarily limited,' the report said, without elaborating.

Facebook, based in Menlo Park, California, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Facebook itself has been banned in Iran since protests against the disputed 2009 re-election of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad . However, some in Iran access it and other banned websites using virtual private networks.

Meanwhile, authorities acknowledged the first fatalities in the protests in Doroud, a city some 325 kilometers (200 miles) southwest of Tehran in Iran's western Lorestan province. Protesters had gathered for an unauthorized rally that lasted into the night Saturday, said Habibollah Khojastepour, the security deputy of Lorestan's governor. The two protesters were killed in clashes at the rally, he said.

Videos circulating on social media late Saturday appeared to show fallen protesters in Doroud as gunshots sounded in the background. The Associated Press could not immediately verify the footage.

Thousands have taken to the streets of cities across Iran, beginning on Thursday in Mashhad, the country's second-largest city and a holy site for Shiite pilgrims.

The protests in the Iranian capital, as well as President Donald Trump tweeting about them, raised the stakes. It also apparently forced state television to break its silence on Saturday, acknowledging it hadn't reported on the protests on orders from security officials.

Trump, whose travel bans blocked Iranians from getting U.S. visas, again tweeted about the protests Sunday.

'The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer,' Trump wrote. 'The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!'

At least 50 protesters have been arrested since Thursday, authorities said Saturday.

On Sunday, the semi-official ILNA news agency reported that authorities have arrested some 80 protesters in the city of Arak, some 280 kilometers (173 miles) south of Tehran.

Unemployment remains high, and official inflation has crept up to 10 percent again. A recent increase in egg and poultry prices by as much as 40 percent, which a government spokesman has blamed on a cull over avian flu fears, appears to have been the spark for the economic protests.

Trump expresses support for Iranian protests

President Trump

By Dave Boyer

 The Washington Times - Saturday, December 30, 2017-- President Trump voiced support Saturday for Iranians protesting in the streets against their government, saying Tehran’s oppressive regime “cannot endure forever.”
“The entire world understands that the good people of Iran want change, and, other than the vast military power of the United States, that Iran’s people are what their leaders fear the most,” Mr. Trump tweeted. “Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching!”
His comments echoed a speech that Mr. Trump gave to the United Nationslast fall, in which he called on the Iranian people to return to their “proud roots as a center of civilization, culture and wealth.”
The president, noting numerous reports of protests by Iranians angry with the regime’s corruption and “its squandering of the nation’s wealth to fund terrorism abroad,” said the government in Tehran “should respect their people’s rights, including right to express themselves.”

Iran cuts social media access as unrest turns deadly

Iranian students scuffle with police at the University of Tehran during a protest against economic problems on December 30, 2017

AFP, Dec. 31, 2017-- Iran cut access to social media on Sunday in a bid to head off further protests after days of unrest that saw two people killed and dozens arrested.

The interior minister warned protesters will 'pay the price' as footage on social media showed thousands marching across the country overnight in the biggest test for the Islamic republic since mass demonstrations in 2009.

 

 Iranian cities hit by protests

The spate of demonstrations began in second city Mashhad on Thursday over high living costs, but quickly spread throughout the country and turned against the Islamic system as a whole, with slogans such as 'Death to the dictator'.

Lorestan province deputy governor Habibollah Khojastehpour told state television that two people were killed in clashes in the small western town of Dorud late on Saturday, but denied security forces were responsible.

In an apparent attempt to stave off more unrest, the authorities began blocking access to photo sharing and online messaging services on mobile phones, including Telegram, which the government accused of being used to foment violence, local media and Telegram's CEO said.

After an initial silence, state media has begun showing footage of unrest, focusing on young men violently targeting banks and vehicles, an attack on a town hall in Tehran, and images of a man burning the Iranian flag.

US President Donald Trump said the 'big protests' showed people 'were getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism'.

'Looks like they will not take it any longer,' he wrote on Twitter, warning that Washington is 'watching very closely for human rights violations!'

British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said he was 'watching events in Iran with concern'.

Iranian authorities have sought to distinguish anti-regime protesters from what they see as legitimate economic grievances.

'Do not get excited,' parliament director for international affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian wrote in a tweet directed at Trump.

'Sedition, unrest and chaos are different from gatherings and peaceful protests to pursue people's livelihoods,' he said.

- Dozens arrested -

The total number of arrests from the protests around the country remained unclear.

An official in Arak, around 300 kilometres (190 miles) southwest of Tehran, said 80 people had been detained there overnight.

Police have so far taken a relatively soft approach to the unrest, and there has been no sign that the powerful Revolutionary Guards have yet been deployed.
Iranian authorities have blamed external forces for fomenting the protests, saying the majority of social media reports were emanating from regional rival Saudi Arabia or exile groups based in Europe.

President Hassan Rouhani has so far not made any statement since the protests started.

He came to power in 2013 promising to mend the economy and ease social tensions, but anger over high living costs and a 12-percent unemployment rate have left many feeling that progress is too slow.

Unemployment is particularly high among young people, who have grown up in a less restrictive environment and are generally considered less deferential to authority.

'Rouhani has run an austerity budget since 2013 with the idea that it's a tough but necessary pill to swallow to manage inflation and currency problems and try to improve Iran's attractiveness for investment,' said Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, founder of the Europe-Iran Forum.

'But choosing years of austerity immediately after a very tough period of sanctions is bound to test people's patience,' he told AFP.

But low-level strikes and demonstrations have continued, with bus drivers, teachers and factory workers protesting against unpaid wages and poor conditions.

Fox News: In Iran, 'Death to the Dictator!' Anti-Regime Street Protests Grow, Demanding Democracy and Freedom

Rajavi’s statement said Iranian’s have loudly rejected the mullah’s regime

Dec. 30, 2017 - Estimates say that up to one million Iranians have been protesting across the country since Thursday in what one Iranian opposition group says has turned into a protest for regime change.
Those protesters are being buoyed by messages from the Trump administration, says the National Council of Resistance of Iran ( NCRI ), a coalition of democratic Iranian groups and personalities...
According to reports, the protests have brought some bloodshed, with at least two people being shot and killed by Iranian Revolutionary Guards who opened fire on protesters in the city of Dorud.
In the country’s capital city of Tehran , video provided to Fox News by the NCRI showed protesters fending off tear gas from the police. Other videos show them burning posters of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei...
Maryam Rajavi , the head of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, released a statement in which she saluted the bravery of the protesters. She said, in part, “The ongoing protests in different cities against the regime reveal the explosive state of Iranian society and the people’s desire for regime change.”
Rajavi’s statement said Iranian’s have loudly rejected the mullah’s regime: “The Iranian people demand the overthrow of the ruling religious dictatorship. It is their right to topple this repressive regime. And I emphasize: regime change in Iran is within reach.”

Torn down by protests, Iran restricts access to social media apps

Protests hit major Iranian cities

The Baghdad post, Dec. 31, 2017-- Iran restricted access to several social media apps Sunday and warned that anti-government protesters who cause public disorder will 'pay the price' after three days of demonstrations across the country, CNN reported.

Instagram and Telegram have been temporarily 'restricted' in order to ensure calm and security, state-run media outlet IRIB reported Sunday.

Social media has been vital resource for Iranians participating in the protests -- described as the largest public display of discontent since the 2009 Green Movement in Iran.

While independent media coverage from inside the country has been limited, protesters have used apps like Telegram, which offers public channels for users in addition to encrypted messaging, to share information and videos of protests and clashes. Official media outlets have provided few details about the protests.

Telegram's CEO tweeted that Iranian authorities had blocked access to Telegram for 'the majority of Iranians' after the company refused to shut down peaceful protesting channels.

اخبار - مقاومت - مسعود رجوي - پيام تاريخ: PM 7:10:34 1396/10/10 پیام مسعود رجوی به جوانان دلیر، زنان قهرمان و مردان به‌پاخاسته - ۹دی ۹۶

مسعود رجوی - رهبر مقاومت ایران

https://www.mojahedin.org/links/other/20171231_SpecilaClip_1744888.mp4

چهارمین روز قیام ایران - سنندج - یکشنبه ۱۰دی ۹۶ + فیلم

قیام سنندج

WATCH: Khamenei poster torched by Iran protesters, shots fired among crowd

Videos have recorded a heavy security crackdown as crowds shouted “Death to Khamenei”

 Al Arabiya, 31 December 2017-- Footage from Saturday night has shown Iranian protesters tearing down and torching a poster of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as anti-government rallies entering their fourth day gripped several cities across the country.

Another video showed protesters fleeing security forces, while gunfire could clearly be heard and a seemingly injured male being carried. Other footage showed a man among the crowd firing shots.

The violent scenes are the latest developments in demonstrations across dozens of cities against the regime. Initially beginning as anti-austerity protests, the ongoing rallies are the largest since the suppressing the 2009 uprising, which almost turned into a revolution to overthrow the regime of the ruling mullahs, who has been in power since 1979.

Videos have recorded a heavy security crackdown as crowds shouted “Death to Khamenei”.

Latest reports from Iran said that three people have been killed and others were injured when the Revolutionary Guard militias shot a night protest in ‎Doroud, Loerstan province, in central Iran.

‘Time for REVOLUTION’ Iran regime is ‘doomed’ as riots erupt after warning from Trump

Time for REVOLUTION’ Iran regime is ‘doomed’ as riots erupt

IRAN may be the brink of a “revolution” amid violent clashes between riot police and protestors, an opposition group in exile has claimed.

By Henry Holloway
Daily Star30th December 2017 - Tear gas, water cannons and riot cops armed with clubs have been deployed today to streets of the Iranian capital as thousands of protests took to the streets.

Protests over unemployment and food prices quickly spiraled into widespread calls for the collapse of the ruling Islamic regime.

Videos and pictures erupted on social media from the tightly controlled state showing protests and violence amid chants of “death to the dictator”.

And now the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) has outright called for revolution while speaking to Daily Star Online.

Video: Iran protests dawn of revolution after Trump tweet, exile

Shahin Gobadi, a spokesman for the group, told this website: “Their regime has no future,  it is doomed to failure, and it is time for the international community to recognize the Iranian people’s resistance to overthrow that regime.”

US President Donald Trump has also waded into the protests, warning Iran “the world is watching”

“This leaves no doubt that they are opposed to the entirety of the regime and want regime change”

Shahin Gobadi

Mr Gobadi said: “People have been on the streets in large numbers across Iran for three days despite huge risks and the regime’s total mobilization of its suppressive forces

'This clearly indicates the pervasive sentiment of the Iranians. In a nutshell, the Iranian people have shown their desire for regime change.”

 RIOT POLICE Security officers seal Tehran University after unrest on the third day of protests

He said there is “no doubt” protestors hitting the streets  “are opposed to the entirety of the regime and want regime change”.

The campaigner told this website campaigners are chanting for the end of aggressive Iranian policy in Lebanon and Syria, which has seemed the regime become at loggerheads with Saudi Arabia.

 

OPPOSITION: Shahin Gobadi is the spokesman for 'government in exile' the PMOI

The controversial PMOI consider themselves a government in exile and have long advocated the overthrown of the hardline regime.

Britain also designated the group a terrorist organization until 2008, with the group renouncing violence in 2001 and campaigning for a ' secular, democratic, non-nuclear republic”.

PMOI members were also instrumental in the exposing of Iran’s nuclear programme back in 2002, revealing two top-secret nuclear sites being constructed by Tehran.

US officials urged President Trump to enter into talks with the PMOI to “establish a dialogue with Iran’s exiled resistance” earlier this year.

Video:  People chanting 'We don’t want an oppressive government! We don’t want mercenary police!' earlier today at Tehran University on December 30

Washington listed the PMOI as a terrorist group right up until 2012.

Protests in Iran have been ongoing for the past three days, with reports of dozens being arrested and images allegedly showing dozens of people wounded by police.

Iranian regime officials warned people of “illegal gatherings” after the first two days of protests

Mr Gobadi told Daily Star Online: 'The Iranian people’s protests have been taking place in large parts of the country and are into their third day and have now reached the capital Tehran.

'Their slogans ‘Death to the dictator’ and ‘Death to Rouhani’ and further chants today that ‘No to reformists, no to hardliners; this game is over’ leave no doubt that they are opposed to the entirety of the regime and want regime change.'

 

AYATOLLAH: Iran is ruled by an Islamic hardline regime led by its religious leader

This weekend’s protests have been dragged into the spotlight after the US waded in and seemingly gave its backing to the demonstrators.

Trump tweeted: 'Many reports of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens fed up with regime’s corruption and its squandering of the nation’s wealth to fund terrorism abroad.

'Iranian government should respect their people’s rights, including the right to express themselves.”

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi dismissed Trump's comments as 'irrelevant' and 'opportunistic”.

DEFIANCE: Tehran university Student protests stand against riot police hurling tear gas at them in Tehran

State-media coverage within Iran has been focused on the pro-regime rallies held to mark the defeat of the last major unrest to hit the country in 2009.

'The enemy wants once again to create a new plot and use social media and economic issues to foment a new sedition,” Iranian hardliner Ayatollah Mohsen Arak told a crowd in Tehran.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Abdolrahman Rahmani Fazli said: 'We urge all those who receive these calls to protest not to participate in these illegal gatherings as they will create problems for themselves and other citizens.'

Iran: Protesters Set Ablaze Portraits of Khamenei, Ghassem Soleimani, Invade Goverment Centers

In the Revolution Square, the people chanted Down with the principle of Velayat-e-faqih (Supreme Leadership)

Iran Uprising - No. 16

On Saturday December 30, on the third day of the nationwide uprising, the flames of uprising against the clerical regime became more intense and the people, especially the women and youth of various cities, confronted the attacks of the repressive forces and invaded many government centers.

In Shiraz, the angry people burned the banners of Ghassem Soleimani, the commander of the terrorist Quds force. They were attacked by IRGC bike riders when they chanted slogans against Khamenei, and a rigorous clash between them broke out.

In Tehran, during the bringing down of the Khamenei's banner besides “Meghdad” basij centre in Azadi Street, a rigorous confrontation between the mercenaries and the demonstrators took place. In the street of Ferdowsi, the demonstrators also burned a number of posters and banners of the regime's agents. They also burned tires to block the passage of repressive forces.

At Vali Asr crossing also in Tehran, at sunset, a clash between repressive forces and demonstrators left several people injured.

In the Revolution Square, the people chanted 'Down with the principle of Velayat-e-faqih (Supreme Leadership)', tore down regime’s banners and broke the glasses of an anti-riot vehicle. The youth shouted at Revolution Street: 'Come on, sir [Khamenei].' People in the Daneshjou park chanted: 'Shame on you Khamenei, Let go the country'.

In the Keshavarz Blvd, the Tehran municipality building of District 2 of Zone 6 was attacked by demonstrators.

The brave youth of Doroud protested with the slogan of 'Death to Khamenei'. The criminal Guards and Basijis shot the courageous young people and killed at least two people. Angry people burned the governorate of this city.

In Karaj, a special anti-riot motorcycle was burnt down by the people. They also attacked the city's judiciary building.

In Arak, the people attacked the police center with chants of death to Khamenei. They turned over a police car during the demonstration.

With the darkness of the air, tens of thousands of Ahwaz people rallied. The protesters' clashes with the mercenaries of the special unit and the police force were drawn to all the streets leading to the Naderi main street. The brave youth captured the anti-riot unit vehicle.

In Khomeini Square, Najaf Abad, people broke the sign of Khomeini, throwing a grenade to the poster of Khamenei.

Following the demonstration of the brave people of Khorramabad and the attack of the repressive forces, the governorate of the city was also set on fire.

The brave young people of Kermanshah blasted a Basiji. The security forces arrested a number of people.

In Behbahan, young people also brought down Khamenei's despicable picture.

Malayer youths attacked the regime's judiciary while chanting anti-government slogans.

The people of Sabzevar rallied for the second day, which led to confrontation with the attack of repressive forces. People attacked government buildings.

The rallies of thousands of people in Bandar Abbas were drawn into conflicts with repressive forces. The angry youth brought down Khamenei's images and attacked the Revolutionary Guards Corps Centre in the city.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
December 30, 2017

Mullahs' Regime, Caught in Surprise and Confused, Admits to the Extent of Uprising and the Role of PMOI/MEK

Meanwhile, the mullahs’ regime shut down schools in Tehran and many cities under the pretext of air pollution

Iran’s Uprising - No. 17

On the fourth day of the nationwide uprising of the Iranian people to overthrow the mullahs’ regime, the regime’s officials were compelled to acknowledge the anger and disgust of the people against the regime and the extent of the uprising.

The mullahs’ interior minister said today, 'The events of the last few days have caused concern, sadness and discomfort for our dear people, and ... the created atmosphere .... Has damaged the security of the country.' Everyone knows that the meaning of 'dear people' and 'the country' is nothing but the criminal gangs and corrupt mullahs of this regime who have destroyed Iran's assets and have killed the people for 39 years.

The mullahs’ interior minister, whose fear of the uprising could be seen in his every single words, said: 'Those who attempt to destroy public property, and create unrest and lawlessness, and undermine the people’s security, are responsible before the law and should be held accountable for their behavior and pay its cost.” He added, 'Those who misused the cyberspace and used it for the purpose of destroying security, irregularity, law-breaking anddestruction of the people’s property, have shown that it was just an excuse to use this capacity (cyberspace).'

Meanwhile, Mehr, the state news agency, wrote today that the PMOI /MEK'isbehind the recent turmoil and manages it.'

Ali Asghar Nasser, the security and law enforcement deputy of Tehran governorate, said 'A few individuals yesterday disrupted the people's comfort, and they were arrested quickly.' He added these few people! Threw 'stones at the police force, damaged police vehicles, and broke windows of the banks and ...'.

Meanwhile, more fear and confusion can be seen within the regime than ever before regarding the uprising of the Iranian people. Khamenei remains silent on the fourth day of the uprising. Rouhani, the regime's president, also canceled his speech today. Iran daily, associated with Rouhani, announced this morning, “in light of recent events and several days of conflict in different cities of the country, the president will speak on these incidents in a couple of hours'. However, two hours later, one of Rouhani’s spokesmen said, 'There is no speech in Rouhani’s program today.”

Meanwhile, the mullahs’ regime shut down schools in Tehran and many cities under the pretext of 'air pollution' for today and tomorrow.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
December 31, 2017

Canada closely monitoring ongoing protests in Iran

The government of Canada express support with the Iranian demonstrators

StatementsFrom Global Affairs Canada
December 30, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs CanadaGlobal Affairs Canada today released the following statement on the ongoing protests in Iran:
“Canada is encouraged by the Iranian people who are exercising their basic right to protest peacefully.
“We call on the Iranian authorities to uphold and respect democratic and human rights.
“Canada will continue to support the fundamental rights of Iranians, including the right to freedom of expression.”

Rep. Ed Royce expressed solidarity and support with the Iranian demonstrators

Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee

Dec. 30, 2017 - US House Rep. Ed Royce wrote on his twitter account that '[I am] Inspired by Iranians bravely calling for freedom, opportunity and a government that, instead of funding global terror, focuses on making their lives better.

Vice President Mike Pence condemned the arrest of protesters in Iran

US vice president Mike Pence

Dec. 30, 2017 - Vice President Mike Pence tweeted 'I stand with peaceful protesters in Iran who are speaking out for freedom and we condemn the arrest of innocents. The time has come for the regime in Tehran to end terrorist activities, corruption and their disregard for human rights.

Fox News: In Iran, 'Death to the Dictator!' Anti-Regime Street Protests Grow, Demanding Democracy and Freedom

Rajavi’s statement said Iranian’s have loudly rejected the mullah’s regime

Dec. 30, 2017 - Estimates say that up to one million Iranians have been protesting across the country since Thursday in what one Iranian opposition group says has turned into a protest for regime change.
Those protesters are being buoyed by messages from the Trump administration, says the National Council of Resistance of Iran ( NCRI ), a coalition of democratic Iranian groups and personalities...
According to reports, the protests have brought some bloodshed, with at least two people being shot and killed by Iranian Revolutionary Guards who opened fire on protesters in the city of Dorud.
In the country’s capital city of Tehran , video provided to Fox News by the NCRI showed protesters fending off tear gas from the police. Other videos show them burning posters of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei...
Maryam Rajavi , the head of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, released a statement in which she saluted the bravery of the protesters. She said, in part, “The ongoing protests in different cities against the regime reveal the explosive state of Iranian society and the people’s desire for regime change.”
Rajavi’s statement said Iranian’s have loudly rejected the mullah’s regime: “The Iranian people demand the overthrow of the ruling religious dictatorship. It is their right to topple this repressive regime. And I emphasize: regime change in Iran is within reach.”