In Iran, re have been protests against government of President Hassan Ruhani on third day in a row. In front of University of Tehran, students called "Death to Taliban," as conservative news agency Fars reported. The activists apparently compared Iranian politicians with radical Islamic Taliban in Afghanistan. Moreover, y chanted "not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life for Iran" – as a criticism that leadership in Tehran spends millions to support proiranian groups in Middle East region rar than spending money on ir own people.

There are different information about size of protest. Fars spoke of 50 to 70 activists, while US news agency AP called hundreds of participants. Up to 400 demonstrators had been in university quarter in late afternoon, Iranian press agency again shared more. So police cordoned off roads and put tear gas against demonstrators.

Details and secured facts about protests re are few, information comes mainly from social media. Some videos show students who hand-crafted with cops and chant slogans. Three people were arrested, but two of m were released again, reform-oriented news agency Ilna, citing a person in charge of Ministry of Science, reported.

The Iranian Ministry of Interior warned against participating in protests. "These garings are illegal," said Interior Minister Abdulrahman Rahmani Fasli according to news agency Isna. He threatened with "problematic consequences" if people still participate in events. Fasli said, however, that Ministry of Interior was prepared to review requests for peaceful demonstrations.

State television calls for first time entitled

Iranian state television has barely informed about protests. On Saturday, for first time, re was a report in which "justified demands of population" were mentioned. At same time, media and "counter-revolutionary" groups were condemned abroad who tried to exploit protests.

Much more extensively, state television reported on state-organized demonstrations that take place on se days as every year to commemorate end of last major protests of 2009. As a result, thousands of government supporters in Tehran and or cities were also on streets on Saturday. Many kept banners of spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei high.

According to French news agency AFP, government-loyal students in Iranian capital also demonstrated. These would have been able to expel critical students from main entrance of University of Tehran because y were in majority.

In June 2009, conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had received 85 percent of vote in presidential election according to official figures. Opponents of regime n accused him of electoral manipulation and went to streets for several months. Several people were killed in riots.

Iran-demonstrations by government supporters supporters of Iranian government have gone to streets for thousands. A few days ago, government opponents had protested against rising prices and high unemployment in Iran. © Photo: Hamed Malekpour/Getty Images

Since Thursday, re has been a renewed protest in Iran. First was demonstrated in Mashhad, n in several or cities. The demonstrators criticize increased prices for food and high unemployment, but also government as a whole. According to official information, more than 50 of m have been detained so far. The protests also put pressure on President Hassan Ruhani, whose international nuclear agreement is in danger. Many Iranians criticize that agreement has not yet brought economic benefits to m.

Protests also in Germany

In Iran, such demonstrations are rare, so current developments are closely monitored internationally. The US, for example, condemned arrests of activists and expressed ir support for protests. US President Donald Trump tweeted, "The world is looking." The Iranian leadership, on or hand, said that it would not heed "worthless and opportunistic remarks of Americans". The Trump government, which forbids Iranians to enter United States, should now not be concerned about Iranian people, said a spokesman.

There were also protests in Germany: in Berlin on Friday about 50, on Saturday good 100 people were demonstrating before Iranian embassy. According to police, y demanded release of detainees.

Date Of Update: 31 December 2017, 12:02