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Iran protests: 'Iron fist' threatened if unrest continues | Iran protests: 'Iron fist' threatened if unrest continues |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned anti-government protesters they will face the nation's "iron fist" if political unrest continues. | Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned anti-government protesters they will face the nation's "iron fist" if political unrest continues. |
Three days of demonstrations erupted over falling living standards. | Three days of demonstrations erupted over falling living standards. |
But a Revolutionary Guards commander said the protests had degenerated into people chanting political slogans and burning public property. | But a Revolutionary Guards commander said the protests had degenerated into people chanting political slogans and burning public property. |
They are the biggest show of dissent since huge pro-reform rallies in 2009. There are reports of two deaths. | They are the biggest show of dissent since huge pro-reform rallies in 2009. There are reports of two deaths. |
There were calls for the removal or death of Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the cities of Khoramabad, Zanjan and Ahvaz. | There were calls for the removal or death of Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the cities of Khoramabad, Zanjan and Ahvaz. |
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is a powerful force with ties to the country's supreme leader, and is dedicated to preserving the country's Islamic system. | |
Brigadier-General Esmail Kowsari told the ISNA news agency: "If people came into the streets over high prices, they should not have chanted those slogans and burned public property and cars." | Brigadier-General Esmail Kowsari told the ISNA news agency: "If people came into the streets over high prices, they should not have chanted those slogans and burned public property and cars." |
Iran's interior minister has also warned the public that protesters will be held accountable. | Iran's interior minister has also warned the public that protesters will be held accountable. |
"Those who damage public property, disrupt order and break the law must be responsible for their behaviour and pay the price," Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli said. | "Those who damage public property, disrupt order and break the law must be responsible for their behaviour and pay the price," Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli said. |
"The spreading of violence, fear and terror will definitely be confronted." | "The spreading of violence, fear and terror will definitely be confronted." |
What has been happening? | What has been happening? |
Protests began in the north-eastern city of Mashhad on Thursday and spread to other major cities on Friday. | Protests began in the north-eastern city of Mashhad on Thursday and spread to other major cities on Friday. |
A small demonstration in Tehran grew to several thousand people on Saturday, and students clashed with police. The protests also became violent in several other towns. | A small demonstration in Tehran grew to several thousand people on Saturday, and students clashed with police. The protests also became violent in several other towns. |
Among the recent events across Iran: | Among the recent events across Iran: |
BBC Persian correspondent Kasra Naji said a common factor in all locations has been protesters' demand for an end to clerical rule in Iran. | BBC Persian correspondent Kasra Naji said a common factor in all locations has been protesters' demand for an end to clerical rule in Iran. |
There is also anger at Iran's interventions abroad. In Mashhad, some chanted "not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life for Iran", a reference to what protesters say is the administration's focus on foreign rather than domestic issues. | There is also anger at Iran's interventions abroad. In Mashhad, some chanted "not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life for Iran", a reference to what protesters say is the administration's focus on foreign rather than domestic issues. |
Iran is a key provider of military support to the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. It is also accused of providing arms to Houthi rebels fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which it denies, and is an ally of Lebanon's powerful Shia movement Hezbollah. | Iran is a key provider of military support to the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. It is also accused of providing arms to Houthi rebels fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which it denies, and is an ally of Lebanon's powerful Shia movement Hezbollah. |
BBC Persian, which broadcasts on TV, on radio and online from London, is banned in Iran - where staff and their families routinely face harassment and questioning from the authorities. | |
What has been the response, at home and abroad? | What has been the response, at home and abroad? |
The Iranian authorities are blaming anti-revolutionaries and agents of foreign powers for the outbreak. | The Iranian authorities are blaming anti-revolutionaries and agents of foreign powers for the outbreak. |
Also on Saturday, thousands of pro-government demonstrators turned out for pre-arranged rallies to mark the eighth anniversary of the suppression of the 2009 street protests. | Also on Saturday, thousands of pro-government demonstrators turned out for pre-arranged rallies to mark the eighth anniversary of the suppression of the 2009 street protests. |
The US has led international support for the protesters. | The US has led international support for the protesters. |
President Donald Trump tweeted: "Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching!" | President Donald Trump tweeted: "Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching!" |
Iran's foreign ministry called earlier comments from Mr Trump and other US officials "opportunistic and deceitful". | Iran's foreign ministry called earlier comments from Mr Trump and other US officials "opportunistic and deceitful". |
Who are the Revolutionary Guards? | |
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) was set up shortly after the 1979 Iranian revolution to defend the country's Islamic system. | |
It has since become a major force in the political, economic and military life of the country, with its own ground forces, navy and air force. It controls a volunteer militia of tens of thousands of people - the Basij Resistance Force. | |
The IRGC sometimes works alongside police, and it was announced in December that it would do this again. | |
Its stature says it will co-operate with law enforcement forces "when necessary" but there has been some controversy over its scope when dealing with civilians. |