Ten people killed in anti-government protests in Iran

Protests have continued for five days, despite an appeal for calm by President Hassan Rouhani.

By REUTERS
Updated: JANUARY 1, 2018 16:48
Israeli minister expresses support for Iranian protesters as regime report 10 dead in clashes (Reuters)
DUBAI - Ten people were killed during the street protests in Iran on Sunday, state television said on Monday without giving details.
"In the events of last night, unfortunately a total of about 10 people were killed in several cities," it said, while showing footage of damage from anti-government demonstrations.
Messages on social media urged Iranians to hold rallies in the capital Tehran and 50 other urban centers, many of which have already seen four days of unrest since price protests in the second largest city Mashhad on Thursday turned political.
Protests continued overnight even though President Hassan Rouhani appealed for calm. He said Iranians had the right to criticize authorities but warned of a crackdown against unrest.
"The government will show no tolerance for those who damage public properties, violate public order and create unrest in the society," Rouhani said in remarks carried by state TV.
Tens of thousands of people have protested across the country against the Islamic Republic's government and clerical elite, prompting authorities to warn of a tough crackdown.
Security forces have showed restraint, hoping to avoid and escalation of the crisis triggered by economic hardships and corruption. Anger soon turned to Iran's clerical establishment in power since the 1979 revolution.
Some called on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down and chanted against a government they described as thieves.