Protests in Iran intensified over the weekend as demonstrators voice their opposition to violent acts carried out by the regime.
Six straight days of protests have taken place in the face of opposition to the Islamic Republic, The Washington Free Beacon reported.
The Islamic Republic regime imposed curfews across the country in the face of nightly protests. Dissidents shouted, “death to the dictator” and “Mullahs should go away.”
Dissidents have been beaten and arrested for their peaceful demonstrations. One protester was killed after being shot by Iran security forces, which has seemingly fueled the demonstrations and their opposition to the government.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted late Sunday: “We are deeply concerned about reports of Iranian regime’s violence against unarmed citizens. U.S. supports Iranian people’s right to protest against the regime’s corruption & oppression without fear of reprisal. We call on the regime in #Iran to respect its people’s human rights.”
We are deeply concerned about reports of Iranian regime’s violence against unarmed citizens. U.S. supports Iranian people’s right to protest against the regime’s corruption & oppression without fear of reprisal. We call on the regime in #Iran to respect its people’s human rights.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 6, 2018
Protestors have been reportedly encouraged by comments from the Trump Administration and Pompeo, who recently spoke out in support of protesters as they stand in opposition to the regime.
“In light of these protests and 40 years of regime tyranny, I have a message for the people of Iran: The United States hears you; the United States supports you; the United States is with you,” Pompeo said at a “Supporting Iranian Voices” event in July. He also likened the regime to “the mafia.”
On Monday, the first of renewed sanctions from the U.S. went into effect against Iran. These harsher sanctions targeted Iran’s metals trade. President Trump has urged European countries to follow suit by reducing trade with Iran.
Pompeo tweeted an announcement of the new sanctions, saying: “Today, sanctions on the regime in #Iran were re-imposed to counter its malign activities. The regime must use Iran’s resources to help its citizens, not support terror & enrich the leadership.”
90 days ago, @POTUS withdrew U.S. from the failed #IranDeal. Today, sanctions on the regime in #Iran were re-imposed to counter its malign activities. The regime must use Iran’s resources to help its citizens, not support terror & enrich the leadership. https://t.co/hES0cmwjYc
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 6, 2018
The protests have been ongoing for weeks as citizens marched the streets to protest Iran’s radical rule, in addition to crippling military spending that has wreaked havoc on the weakened economy.
Iran’s currency – the rial – fell to an all-time low after the U.S. imposed sanctions against Iran over its nuclear activities and tyrannical behavior. Citizens have been unable to purchase the essential items they need.
As the U.S. places sanctions on #Iran, its people have taken to the streets – demanding a regime change. They’re rightly demanding freedom. #MiddleEast https://t.co/JJYkgr5FYx
— Jay Sekulow (@JaySekulow) August 6, 2018
Iran’s financial instability has rendered the country unable to pay debts. As a result, fuel supplies have been cut off.
Video released over the weekend on social media shows an estimated 6,000 bus drivers who waited in lines for 24 hours to get fuel in Tehran.
A translation revealed the narrator saying: “How much more hardship and disgrace are we to endure?”
“Our revolution wasn’t for these people to take advantage of us and be cruel to us. Who should I say it to? I’m not saying it to myself. We should gather and go say it. Our revolution wasn’t to support Lebanon, Palestine, and that filthy [Hezbollah leader] Hassan Nasrallah,” wrote Raman Ghavami on Twitter.
#IranUpdate
More than 6k buse drivers in Tehran have been waiting for 24 hours to get fuel. But the contractor refuses to provide their need because the gov hasn’t paid back its debts to the company.
Tens of thousands of people waiting for these buses to go to work etc.#Iran pic.twitter.com/UDR60Xnntt— Raman Ghavami (@Raman_Ghavami) August 5, 2018
President Trump said publicly that he would be willing to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss the possibility of a new nuclear deal, but Iran rejected his offer.
