After protests in Iran, President Hassan Ruhani has practiced self-criticism and warned political and spiritual leadership of Islamic Republic against a dwindling influence on population. "If faith as a formative force of religious values among our young people is becoming less, n it is also our fault as responsible," said Ruhani in Tehran.

The background is anti-Islamic slogans, some of which had been chanted during regime-critical protests of recent weeks. Political and clerical hardliners had called corresponding demonstrators as rabble and mercenaries of foreign. Some demanded a harsher approach against critics, including death penalty. In addition, calls for a fully state-controlled national internet became loud.

Ruhani said: "Stamping protesters as rabble and mercenaries is an insult to Iranian society." No one in political leadership should imagine to know more or better than citizens, president said. A harsher approach against critics or online censorship was wrong and dangerous, he continued – and let deeds follow. Ruhani ordered to unlock popular Messenger Telegram in country and banned during protests as well as Instagram social network.

A spokesman for Ministry of Communications confirmed action. At beginning of year, Ruhani had described restrictions as necessary. At same time, however, he assured that social networks would not be permanently blocked. About 25 of approximately 80 million Iranians use telegram.

Justice speaks of 25 deaths in protests

At end of December demonstrators had been on streets for several days in a row in several cities. They protested against rising costs of living, corruption and demanded more democracy. The government had accused "counter-revolutionaries" and foreign groups of calling for violence through social networks.

Numerous demonstrators have been arrested and re are different indications of magnitude. A few days ago, reform-oriented MEP Mahmoud Sadeghi had reported about 3,700 arrests across country. On or hand, justice spokesman Gholamhussein Mohseni Edschehi called number of 622 arrests. Some detainees were released on bail. The semi-state news agency Fars had previously quoted Edschehi with or figures. According to this, 55 of first approximately 400 detainees should be in prisons.

Parliament's Vice-president Ali Motahari criticized judiciary: Parliament had called for clear information several times, but did not receive it, criticized Motahari according to INSA news agency. A request from reformist Group in Parliament to visit demonstrators in notorious Ewin prison in north Tehran was still not answered according to Motahari. Moreover, re are still no details on cases of at least two demonstrators who have committed suicide in prison.

The riots in Iran began three weeks ago with protests against corruption and high food prices. However, political demands were quickly made, including overthrow of government. In case of collisions, a total of 25 people were killed according to latest Edschehis. "We had expected some unrest, but not to this extent," said Edschehi, according to reports from news agency IRNA. In past few days, protests have diminished according to authorities.

New tensions with USA

In his speech, which was broadcast live on state television, nuclear agreement with United States Ruhani as a "lasting success" for Islamic Republic. "The American government has failed to undermine nuclear deal," Ruhani said. US President Donald Trump did not manage to undermine agreement.

Ruhani responded to US president's decision to give agreement "one last chance." It was only on Friday that United States had created conditions for this and decided to keep sanctions against Iran furr suspended. However, Trump also calls for negotiate of nuclear treaty and to impose stricter conditions on Iran. According to information from government circles, it has a deadline of 120 days.

Also on Friday, Trump also put 14 people and institutions from Iran on US sanction list, including Sadegh Larijani, head of Iranian judiciary and close allies of spiritual head Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump justified action with suppression of protests by Iranian leadership.

Iran immediately announced retaliation. Trump outraged all red lines in international relations, said foreign Ministry in Tehran. The "breach of international law" by United States is "certainly answered by a serious response from Iranian Republic."

Date Of Update: 15 January 2018, 12:02