Iran braces for more civil unrest as Donald Trump tweets: 'DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS'

A woman attending a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the Ukraine plane crash, talks to a policeman and asks for his sympathy, at the gate of Amri Kabir University in Tehran, Iran on Saturday night.
AP
Luke O'Reilly12 January 2020

Iran's security forces have deployed in large numbers across Tehran as Donald Trump tweeted his support for anti-government protesters in the capital.

Riot police in black uniforms and helmets gathered in Vali-e Asr Square in the city as calls circulated for protests.

Revolutionary Guard members patrolled the city on motorbikes and plainclothes security men were also out in force.

The protests follow a plane crash early on Wednesday that killed all 176 people on board, mostly Iranians and Iranian-Canadians.

Iranian students demonstrate following a tribute for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 in front of the Amirkabir University in the capital Tehran
AFP via Getty Images

After initially blaming a technical failure, authorities finally admitted to accidentally shooting it down in the face of mounting evidence and accusations by western leaders.

The plane was shot down as Iran braced for retaliation after firing ballistic missiles at two bases in Iraq housing American forces.

The ballistic missile attack, which caused no casualties, was a response to the killing of General Qasem Soleimani, Iran's top general, in a US airstrike in Baghdad.

Iranians have expressed anger over the downing of the plane and the misleading explanations from senior officials in the wake of the tragedy.

Hundreds of students gathered at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University on Sunday to mourn the victims and protest against authorities for concealing the cause of the crash, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported. They later dispersed peacefully.

A woman shouts slogans at a protest as she gathers with people to show their sympathy to the victims of the crash of the Boeing 737-800 plane, flight PS 752, on Saturday night
VIA REUTERS

President Donald Trump, who has expressed support for past waves of anti-government demonstrations in Iran, addressed the country's leaders in a tweet, saying "DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS."

"The World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching," he tweeted.

Mr Trump called on the Iranian regime to allow human rights groups to monitor protests in the Islamic Republic.

In another tweet, President Trump expressed his support for the "brave, long-suffering people" of Iran.

Trump tweeted in Persian and in English: "To the brave and suffering Iranian people: I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely. Your courage is inspiring."

He then followed it with a second bilingual set of tweets: "The Iranian government should allow human rights groups to monitor and report on the current reality of protests in the Iranian people.

"We should not see the peaceful killing of protesters again or the Internet shut down. The world is watching."

 Britain’s ambassador to Tehran was arrested during protests outside Amirkabir University
Instagram/UkInIran

It came after Britain’s ambassador to Tehran was arrested during protests outside Amirkabir University on Saturday night.

Rob Macaire was detained for more than an hour before being released.

In a tweet, Mr Macaire said: “Thanks for the many goodwill messages. Can confirm I wasn’t taking part in any demonstrations! Went to an event advertised as a vigil for victims of #PS752 tragedy. Normal to want to pay respects – some of victims were British. I left after 5 mins, when some started chanting.

“Detained half an hour after leaving the area. Arresting diplomats is of course illegal, in all countries.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said the arrest of the British ambassador to Iran during protests in Tehran was a “flagrant violation of international law”.

In a statement he said: "The arrest of our ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law.

"The Iranian government is at a cross-roads moment. It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards."

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