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Iran protests: General declares 'sedition' defeated | Iran protests: General declares 'sedition' defeated |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has declared the defeat of the "sedition" in the country, referring to a wave of anti-government protests. | The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has declared the defeat of the "sedition" in the country, referring to a wave of anti-government protests. |
Maj Gen Mohammad Ali Jafari made the announcement as tens of thousands of people attended pro-government rallies called to counter the unrest. | Maj Gen Mohammad Ali Jafari made the announcement as tens of thousands of people attended pro-government rallies called to counter the unrest. |
It began last Thursday in the city of Mashhad and has seen 21 people killed. | It began last Thursday in the city of Mashhad and has seen 21 people killed. |
The protests were initially against price rises and corruption, but turned to wider anti-government sentiment. | The protests were initially against price rises and corruption, but turned to wider anti-government sentiment. |
They have been the largest since the disputed 2009 presidential election. | They have been the largest since the disputed 2009 presidential election. |
What was the general's announcement? | What was the general's announcement? |
Gen Jafari said: "Today, we can say that this is the end of the 96 sedition," referring to the current year - 1396 - in the Persian calendar. | Gen Jafari said: "Today, we can say that this is the end of the 96 sedition," referring to the current year - 1396 - in the Persian calendar. |
He said "security preparedness and people's vigilance" had led to the defeat of "enemies" and that the Guards had only intervened in a "limited" way in three provinces. | He said "security preparedness and people's vigilance" had led to the defeat of "enemies" and that the Guards had only intervened in a "limited" way in three provinces. |
He added: "There were a maximum of 1,500 people in each place and the number of troublemakers did not exceed 15,000 people nationwide." | He added: "There were a maximum of 1,500 people in each place and the number of troublemakers did not exceed 15,000 people nationwide." |
The general blamed anti-revolutionary agents, pro-monarchists and forces which he said had been "announced by [US-ex Secretary of State Hillary] Clinton to create riot, anarchy, insecurity and intrigue in Iran". | The general blamed anti-revolutionary agents, pro-monarchists and forces which he said had been "announced by [US-ex Secretary of State Hillary] Clinton to create riot, anarchy, insecurity and intrigue in Iran". |
The "enemies" had tried to pose "cultural, economic and security threats against Islamic Iran", he said. | The "enemies" had tried to pose "cultural, economic and security threats against Islamic Iran", he said. |
His comments echoed those by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, which also blamed unspecified "enemies" and which analysts believed referred to the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia. | His comments echoed those by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, which also blamed unspecified "enemies" and which analysts believed referred to the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia. |
But the general also blamed a "former official" for the protests, in a comment analysts believe referred to ex-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has been critical of government officials, in particular Judiciary Chief Sadegh Amoli Larijani, in recent weeks. | But the general also blamed a "former official" for the protests, in a comment analysts believe referred to ex-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has been critical of government officials, in particular Judiciary Chief Sadegh Amoli Larijani, in recent weeks. |
What about the rallies? | What about the rallies? |
State television broadcast some of the pro-government rallies live. | State television broadcast some of the pro-government rallies live. |
Among those holding events were the cities of Kermanshah, Ilam and Gorgan. | Among those holding events were the cities of Kermanshah, Ilam and Gorgan. |
Some marchers carried Iranian flags and images of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. | Some marchers carried Iranian flags and images of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. |
In the city of Qom, marchers chanted "death to American mercenaries". Chants elsewhere included "the blood in our veins is a gift to our leader" and "the seditionist rioters should be executed". | In the city of Qom, marchers chanted "death to American mercenaries". Chants elsewhere included "the blood in our veins is a gift to our leader" and "the seditionist rioters should be executed". |
Are protests still going on? | Are protests still going on? |
Reuters news agency is reporting fresh protests after nightfall on Wednesday in the city of Malayer in western Hamadan province, with protesters chanting: "People are begging, the supreme leader is acting like God!" | |
Video on social media showed protesters in Nowshahr in the north chanting "death to the dictator", a phrase that has been used against Ayatollah Khamenei, the agency reported. | |
Associated Press said other video had emerged on Wednesday of protesters tearing down images of the ayatollah in Noor Abad, 360km (225 miles) south-west of Tehran, although it was unclear when the footage was shot. | |
One unconfirmed report on Wednesday spoke of three policemen being killed in West Azerbaijan province. | One unconfirmed report on Wednesday spoke of three policemen being killed in West Azerbaijan province. |
What has the US approach been? | What has the US approach been? |
President Donald Trump has tweeted regularly in support of the protesters and did so again on Wednesday morning. | President Donald Trump has tweeted regularly in support of the protesters and did so again on Wednesday morning. |
On Tuesday, US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley branded as "complete nonsense" Iran's suggestion that external enemies were fomenting the unrest. | On Tuesday, US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley branded as "complete nonsense" Iran's suggestion that external enemies were fomenting the unrest. |
She said: "The people of Iran are crying out for freedom. All freedom-loving people must stand with their cause." | She said: "The people of Iran are crying out for freedom. All freedom-loving people must stand with their cause." |
Mr Trump must decide by mid-January whether to re-impose sanctions that were eased when world powers struck a deal with Iran in 2015 that curbed its nuclear programme. | Mr Trump must decide by mid-January whether to re-impose sanctions that were eased when world powers struck a deal with Iran in 2015 that curbed its nuclear programme. |
The US president has regularly called the agreement a bad deal. | The US president has regularly called the agreement a bad deal. |