In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire as they take to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world, in Tehran, Iran. (AP)
Demonstrators flooded the streets in Tehran and violence during the over two-week protests killed at least 538 people, activists said. The statement by the Iranian president reportedly symbolises a hardening tone from the reformist leader, who has so far failed to convince the public as anger soared amid a dwindling economy that has posed a direct challenge to the government.
An interview aired by Iranian state television on Sunday showed President Pezeshkian saying: “People have concerns, we should sit with them and if it is our duty, we should resolve their concerns. But the higher duty is not to allow a group of rioters to come and destroy the entire society,” AP reported.
The administration imposed an internet shutdown in the country on Thursday that has led to protesters getting cut off from the rest of the world. However, videos that have emerged from Iran showed thousands of people protesting on the streets of the nation’s capital on Saturday morning.
In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran shows protesters taking to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world in Tehran, Iran.(AP)
Protesters allegedly chanted “Death to Khamenei” referring to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and “Long live the Shah.”
According to a US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, 2,600 people have been detained so far. Meanwhile, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America strikes Tehran.
Qalibaf made the comments as several Iranian lawmakers raised slogans, “Death to America” amid rushing to the dais in the Iranian parliament.
New protests broke out in the country on Saturday as people rallied in the northern district of Theran. However, in a major setback to protesters, Iran’s attorney general said anyone protesting would be considered an “enemy of God”.
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In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire as they take to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world, in Tehran, Iran. (AP) 
