Kochi: Even as public protests against Islamic government continue in Iran, hospitals are struggling to deal with the flow of injured protesters and others, BBC reported.
Iran blamed the US for turning the protests into what it called “violent subversive acts and widespread vandalism”.
Meanwhile, international leaders called for protection of the right to peaceful protest.
Anti-government protests have taken place in dozens of cities, while there are reports
at 50 protestors’ deaths
Most of the international news organisations are barred from reporting inside Iran, and the internet is blocked.
Since protests began on December 28, at least 50 protesters and 15 security personnel have been killed, according to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA). Over 2,311 individuals have also been arrested.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “The Islamic Republic came to power through the blood of several hundred thousand honourable people and it will not back down in the face of those who deny this.”
Khamenei reiterated the message, saying Iran “will not shirk from dealing with destructive elements”.
Iran’s last shah’s son Reza Pahlavi described the protests on Friday as “magnificent” and urged Iranians to stage further targeted protests over the weekend.
“Our goal is no longer just to take to the streets. The goal is to prepare to seize and hold city centres,” the US-based Pahlavi, said in a video message on social media.
Pahlavi said he was preparing to return to the country.
Photo: X
